ROXAS City – Noel Alvarez, manager of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-Capiz, said coconut farmers were assured of income with the new multi-million worth of coconut facility in the province.
Alvarez added that 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,” Alvarez said.
The multi-million Coconut Agro Hub Project of the PCA, consists of the Coco Coir Processing Complex in Mianay, Ivisan, Capiz 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 chairperson Adan Laurilla.
The inauguration and turn over ceremony set on Oct. 24 in Barangay Ondoy, Ivisan will be graced by PCA administrator Roel Rosales, PCA-6 regional manager Jeffrey Delos Reyes, Department of Agriculture secretary William Dar, Capiz Gov. Esteban Evan Contreras, Capiz 2nd District Rep. Fredenil Castro, Ivisan mayor Felipe Neri Yap and other government officials.
Alvarez said the project aims to empower 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.
Meanwhile, 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 the province,” Doletin said.
He added that per their record, Capiz has over 54,000 coconut farmers, of whom more than 3,000 coco farmers are members of the CASCOFAMCO.(With a report from PIA6/PN)