Plaridel, Misamis Occidental --- In response to PCA Administrator Benjamin Madrigal’s directive to all regional managers and provincial office heads of office on June 5, 2020 to create their respective coconut industry stakeholders group and fora, PCA-Misamis Occidental conducted its first physical stakeholders’ forum at PAGLAUM MPC Training Center, Malanoy, Plaridel, Misamis Occidental on September 16, 2020.

PCA-Misamis Occidental Division Chief Roland Callo discussing the stakeholder forums’ agenda, PCA Programs and projects already implemented with PAGLAUM MPC

PCA Misamis Occidental Division Chief Roland Callo, in coordination with PAGLAUM MPC General Manager Gadwin Handumon who also is the Chair of Oroquieta City Chamber of Commerce and a Commissioner of the National Anti-Poverty Commission Coop Sector, invited various coconut industry stakeholders in the province relative to the latter’s commencement of their coop’s coco sugar processing operation under PCA KAANIB-CHLCP.

Initial discussions of the forum focused on addressing impact of low price of copra via value-adding coconut processing activities.

There are eleven sites in the province who are recipients under the CHLCP-Cocosugar Processing who have received equipment and tools from PCA. The group decided the said activity serves as the springboard to their respective initiatives to help the coconut industry, particularly the most vulnerable coconut farmers and farmworkers.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Provincial Director Dionesio Vaingcoy for their part offered a start-up capital worth of Php 250,000.00 to the first coconut farmers group to be formed under PAGLAUM MPC’s assistance, composed of not less than fifteen (15) members and who are very eager to engage in coco sugar processing.

DOLE Provincial Director Leonardo Rodrigo talking about DOLE’s cash assistance to coconut farmer groups who are already engaged in agribusiness enterprise for additional family income

To complement DOLE’s offer, PAGLAUM MPC (PMPC) offered their coco sugar equipment and tools for use by the first group that will be financed by DOLE, and to buy their produce for market assurance.

PMPC General Manager Gadwin also assigned focal persons within their group to focus on intensifying coco sugar production in the region by assisting coconut farmers engaged in the process.

Likewise, LBP and DBP offered additional loan package assistance whenever needed in the future expansion of the agribusiness enterprise of this group of coconut farmers.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on the other hand readily offered their expertise in conducting training on patent processing, improved packaging and designing labels, copywriting for intellectual property right registration, and in educating coconut farmers to adapt to the new normal to market and sell their produce online.

DTI Misamis Occidental Provincial Director Jane Marie L. Tabucan discussing patent processing, improved packaging and designing labels, copywriting for intellectual property right registration

PCA on its part will be providing technical trainings on coconut product value-adding and equipment to equip farmers and other interested individuals with the skill and the machinery necessary.

The one-day activity was attended by Mr. Gadwin Handumon-PAGLAUM MPC General Manager, Mr. Leonardo Rodrigo-DOLE Provincial Director, Mr. Dionesio Caingcoy-LBP Oroquieta City Manager, Mr. Rustom Sue-DBP Oroquieta City Manager, Ms. Jane Marie L. Tabucan-DTI Provincial Director, Mr. Dindo Nasser Rivera-Aloran Municipal Councilor and PCA Staff of Misamis Occidental headed by Division Chief Roland R. Callo.

In photo (from left to right): DOLE Staff, Mr. Rustom Sue-DBP Oroquieta City Manager, Mr. Dionesio Caingcoy-LBP Oroquieta City Manager, Mr. Gadwin Handumon-PAGLAUM MPC General Manager, DOLE Staff, Mr. Leonardo Rodrigo-DOLE Provincial Director, Ms. Jane Marie L. Tabucan-DTI Provincial Director, Mr. Roland R. Callo, Division Chief-I PCA-Misamis Occidental, Mr. Dindo Nasser Rivera-Aloran Municipal Councilor, Mr. Laureano S. Gabuya, Jr. Acting SA PCA-Misamis Occidental and Mr. Tito B. Palangan, Jr. Agriculturist-II PCA-Misamis Occidental.