The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) participated in the groundbreaking ceremony and ceremonial contract signing of the first shared processing facility supported by the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), held last 12 April 2023 in Tagkawayan, Quezon Province. The White Copra Processing Center will be operated by its proponent, Sama-Sama sa Kaunlaran Multipurpose Cooperative (SSK MPC), for establishment at Brgy. Sta. Monica Tagkawayan, Quezon

With the participation of the Local Government Units (LGUs) in Tagkawayan along with several implementing agencies of the CFIDP involved in its conceptualization and through a message from Senator Cynthia Villar, government agencies expressed their full support to the cooperative on their first milestone.

“Isang pagpupugay para sa ating mga kasamahan sa Sama-Sama sa Kaunlaran Multipurpose Cooperative para sa inyong matagumpay na panimula sa proyektong ito. Simula pa lang po ito ng ating pag-unlad at maaasahan nyo po ang walang humpay na suporta ng PCA sa inyong lakbay tungo sa kaunlaran. Sama-sama po nating mas palalakasin ang industriya ng niyog,” said PCA Administrator Bernie F. Cruz in his message to the attendees.

The PCA Administrator also thanked the overwhelming support of the LGUs, especially the teams of Quezon Province Governor Helen Tan, Congressman Mike Tan, and Mayor Carlo Eleazar.

With the assistance of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), the White Copra Processing Center is expected to be completed and turned over to the cooperative this year.

The CFITF Act, through the programs, projects, and services written in the CFIDP, aims to uplift the lives of coconut farmers and improve the competitiveness of the Philippine coconut industry. With the validation and monitoring activities in place, the government hopes to achieve its goals for the enhancement of the lives of Filipino coconut farmers.

Ceremonial Contract Signing. Mr. Russel Evangelista, BOD Chairman of the SSK MPC and Dr. Ofero Capariño, PhilMech OIC Assistant Director, sign the contract for the establishment of the White Copra Processing Center.

Groundbreaking. [From left to right] Mr. Russel Evangelista, BOD Chairman of the SSK MPC, Congressman Keith Micah Tan, Dr. Ofero Capariño, PhilMech OIC Assistant Director, Mr. Bernie Cruz, PCA Administrator, Governor Angelina Helen Tan, Mayor Luis Oscar T. Eleazar, and Vice Mayor Danny Liwanag, pose for the groundbreaking ceremony of the project.