Empowering Bicol’s Coconut Farmers: The PHP33 Million Project Boost

October 2, 2023

LEGAZPI CITY – In a stride towards sustainable development, two agricultural cooperatives in the Bicol Region are slated to acquire Shared Processing Facilities (SPFs) valued at PHP33 million for coconut processing, a venture aimed at benefitting over 500 farmer-members affiliated with the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Program (CFIDP).

Niño Bengosta, the leading engineer at the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) South Luzon, unveiled during Monday’s interview that the equipment procurement for the designated beneficiaries from the provinces of Albay and Camarines Sur is currently underway.

He articulated, “This endeavor represents a synergistic effort among agencies, where PHilMech is tasked with supplying the requisite processing facilities, machinery, and additional components. Meanwhile, the construction responsibility lies with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).”

According to Bengosta, the cooperatives are poised to receive the facilities by the first quarter of 2024. He detailed that the Tunay Tapat Lahing Pilipino Cooperative (TTLPC) situated in Barangay Bonbon, Libon, Albay is allocated an SPF worth PHP20 million for white copra production, merging with their existing coco coir center. Concurrently, the Ragay Coco Eskwela Turismo Kabuhayan Agriculture Cooperative in Upper Sta. Cruz, Ragay, Camarines Sur is designated a PHP13-million SPF, focusing on coconut sugar and coco nectar production.

He emphasized that the introduction of these SPFs would significantly bolster the cooperatives’ livelihood endeavors, enhancing income and yielding direct profits for members, expressing optimism for an improved quality of life and financial upliftment for the farmers through this initiative.

“PHilMech is committed to continuous monitoring and assistance for these cooperatives, intending to support them for the initial three years until they achieve sustainability,” Bengosta affirmed.

PHilMech is leading the charge in establishing SPFs for eligible farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) within the framework of CFIDP. Over 500 coconut farmers stand to gain from the operation and management of these facilities by the two cooperatives.

Including local farmers engaged in SPF-related production, Bengosta noted, “Farmers from nearby locales, possessing the essential raw materials required by these SPFs, will also experience the benefits.”

In a distinct discussion, Noel Nala, the chairman of Ragay Coco Eskwela Turismo Kabuhayan Agriculture Cooperative, expressed his gratitude, believing the governmental aid would endow his members with enduring livelihood opportunities. He accentuated the significance of this assistance, proclaiming, “This is monumental; all our members are coconut farmers. The SPF is a colossal aid; it allows immediate product marketing. We’re profoundly grateful for the confidence bestowed upon us by the government, PHilMech, and other relevant agencies.”

Nala anticipates that the SPF will triple their daily production capacity to 30 kilograms of coco sugar, situating the facility in a 500-square-meter area in Camarines Sur.

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