Capiz farmers to own P27-M coco facility

By: Jemin B. Guillermo

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Capiz coconut farmers are assured of income with the new multi-million worth of coconut facility in the province.

Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-Capiz OIC Manager Noel Alvarez said the completion of the P27-million Coconut Agro Hub Project in Barangay Ondoy, Ivisan, Capiz is expected to spur not only the province’s economy but primarily the economic status of the coconut farmers.

“This new coconut facility will create employment, income and livelihood opportunities to the coco farmers especially that they have a sure buyer of their coconuts,” Alvarez said.

The multi-million peso Coconut AgroHub Project, courtesy of the PCA, consists of the Coco Coir Processing Complex in Mianay, Ivisan town and Coconut Oil Processing Facility in barangay Ondoy of same town.

The project will formally be turned over to the Capiz Small Coconut Farmers Marketing Cooperative (CASCOFAMCO) led by its Board Chairperson Adan Laurilla.

The inauguration and turn over ceremony on October 24 at Barangay Ondoy, Ivisan town will be graced by PCA OIC-Administrator Roel Rosales, PCA-6 Regional Manager Jeffrey Delos Reyes, Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Capiz Governor Esteban Evan B. Contreras, Capiz 2nd District Representative Fredenil Castro, Ivisan Mayor Felipe Neri Yap and other government officials.

Alvarez said the project aims to empower the coconut farmers by owning and operating their own small-medium enterprise coconut processing facilities.

“These facilities are designed for value-adding to traditional coconut products, thus, create more jobs, additional income and livelihood to the farmers,” he said, adding that it will also serve as a learning facility for those who are interested in village-level processing.

Aside from the coconut oil and coco coir, the CASCOFAMCO’s facility had been producing virgin coconut oil, copra meal, copra cake and other coconut by-products.

On the other hand, PCA Capiz Information Officer Rodulfo Doletin, Jr. urged Capiceños to patronize the coco products here such as the coconut oil.

“By patronizing our own product, we are helping not only the small coconut farmers but also the economy of province,” Doletin said.

He said that per their record, Capiz has more than 54,000 coconut farmers, of whom more than 3,000 coco farmers are members of the CASCOFAMCO. (PIA-Capiz)