Coconut farmers in Northern Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro Region, could now expect a relief from very low prices of their produce while about 2,000 families could find work when a modern coconut processing facility opens in Plaridel, Misamis Occidental soon.
Peter Paul Philippines, a 100% Filipino-owned corporation has promised a good price for coconuts to be processed into Virgin Coconut Oil, Coconut Water, Dessicated Coconut and other high value products.
Quirino “Quing” Panganiban, Asst. Vice President for Special Projects of Peter Paul Philippines, also known as Consolidated Coconut Corp. and a former subsidiary of the Connecticut, USA-based Peter Paul Inc., said the Plaridel Processing Facility would initially need 250,000 husked coconuts daily.
Groundwork for the establishment of the facility has already started in a 5-hectare area offered to the corporation by Cong. Ty.
Panganiban said that volume would require a manpower complement of 800 workers which could go to as high as 2,000 when the facility goes into full operation.
He said that Peter Paul Philippines, owned by Filipino entrepreneurs, will be offering a buying price higher than the prevailing farm gate prices offered by traders.
The Plaridel processing plant will be their third in the country, with the first plant established in Candelaria, Quezon in 1946 and late in Sorsogon.
Panganiban said the corporation decided to expand their operations in Mindanao following improved peace and order conditions and also because of scarce supply of coconut in Quezon and the Bicol Region.
On Monday, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) met with Misamis Occidental Cong. Diego Ty, officials of Peter Paul Philippines and the stakeholders to come up with a plan on how to ensure stable coconut supply for the facility.
MinDA will link up coconut farmers associations and cooperatives in Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro Region with the new facility.
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
#LetsWalkAnExtraKilometer!
#peacebringsaboutprogress!
(Photos of the site of the coconut processing facility and the stakeholders consultation were taken on Monday by the Beauty & Bounty of Mindanao Media Team for the Mindanao Development Authority.)
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