The government has supported the plan of the private sector to build a modern rubber processing plant in the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Wednesday.

DA Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said the plan was proposed by tennis ball manufacturer Head Sport Philippines during Monday’s meeting with the agency and the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI) at the DA main office in Quezon City.

During the meeting, Head Sport Philippines proposed installing a modern rubber processing plant that would source raw rubber from local farmers and convert Filipino rubber into a high-quality product.

They also discussed ways to improve the local rubber industry and help rubber farmers boost their income.

The firm is also set to relocate and expand its tennis ball production hub by moving operations from China to Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

Its operations are set to commence in the second quarter of 2024.

PRRI executive director Cheryl Eusala also supported the plan, which aims to aid the government’s continuing commitment and collective effort in developing the Philippine rubber industry.

Rubber is a highly favored agro-industrial crop in Southeast and South Asia, with significant global production centered in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, China and India.

In the Philippines, most of the manufacturing activity of rubber is concentrated in Mindanao.

The country is in 10th place globally for natural rubber production in 2014. (PNA)