DTI-9 turns-over two coco coir processing facilities under SSF

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1351446102549/dti-9-turns-over-two-coco-coir-processing-facilities-under-ssf
• Thursday, October 29, 2015

By Claro A. Lanipa (ALT/CAL/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)

PAGADIAN CITY, Oct. 29 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry IX (DTI-9) formally turned-over two (2) coco coir processing facilities under its Shared Service Facility (SSF) program to Dinas Small Coconut Farmers Organization (SCFO) and Dumalinao SCFO on Friday, October 23, at Legarda Uno, Dinas and Sebucao, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur.

The facility is composed of one unit decorticating machine, one unit carding or separating machine and four units twinning machine worth P1.6 million.

Mr. Lowell Ballecer, chief, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Division of DTI-9 said the SSF is the banner program of DTI with a national budget of P46 million allocated by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for this program alone.

The SSFwill assist small businessmen or enterprises who are now engaged or wish to engage in a specific livelihood program or project,particularly those on the bottle neck in the acquisition of equipment or facilities they need but cannot afford to purchase.

Mr. Rodrigo Guira, Dinas SCFO president assured the DTI that they will be good stewards of the facility and most of all, provide its members a bit of income for their family.

On the other hand, Board Member Miguelito Ocapan, who delivered the message of Second District Representative Aurora E. Cerilles said this facility is a big help to develop our coconut industry in the province. “With all our efforts, we wish to continue to stir forward our coconut production, which is one of the economic strengths of our province,” he quoted the lady representative as saying.

“Coconut is one of our leading agricultural resources, giving us many opportunities if we take it seriously. If properly managed and developed, it could help address poverty, provide employment and livelihood,”Cerilles said.

“With the establishment of this coco coir processing facility, I encourage everyone to support and help expand our coconut industry, along with the graces of the ‘Most High’ we look forward for a much better growth and abundant harvest of our coconuts,” she added.

“Let us strengthen our spirit of unity, so that we can make big advancement that will provide services and bring progress to the community,” the lady lawmaker underscored.

Meanwhile, DTI Provincial Director Ma. Socorro Malate-Atay reiterated that these facilities are still tagged with “Property of DTI,” which means it is still government property. However, after two years of proper management and operations, these facilities will be donated to the beneficiaries at no cost through a deed of donation.

Highlighting the two occasions was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement and Usufruct Agreement by and between the DTI represented by Provincial Director Atay and the presidents of Dinas SCFO and Dumalinao SCFO, Mr. Rodrigo Guira and Mr. Joel Naciongayo, respectively.