DavNor LGU provides Coco Coir Processing Plant

MANAY, DAVAO ORIENTAL, October 13, 2014— Recognized as one of the country’s premier coconut producing provinces, the provincial government of  Davao Oriental turned over newly Coco Coir Processing Plant in Barangay Holy Cross of this Municipality recently.

The plant is the fruit of initiative of Davao Oriental Coco Husk Social Enterprise Incorporated (DOCHSEI) with the merged assistance from Provincial Government of Davao Oriental, Department of Agriculture (DA), Community Fund Agricultural Development (CFAD), Kalumonan Foundation, Unlad Bayan NGO, LGU-Manay, and Mindanao Rural Development Program-APL 2 (MRDP) through World Bank.

The Coco Coir Production Plant aims to generate employment and expand the income of coconut farmers through utilizing fiber and peat production, and to increase agri-business activities in the province.

Costing to Php 6, 175, 608.00, the plant produces organic frtilizer, coco peat, and coco fiber that may use to produce geotextiles, geo nets, coco twines, erosion control matting, flower pots, hats, bags, wall decorations, door mats and mattress filling.

During the blessing and turn-over ceremony of the plant, EnyaCeloso, representative of DA Regional Director RemelynRecoter, said that the Department of Agriculture is enthusiastic that the project had taken off successfully. She also said that the ceremony of this project will serve as a ‘sign’ of building back a better province after series of calamities as it opened also opportunities for local coconut farmers.

According to Ms. MiguelaEdquila, Deputy RPCO Coordinator, prior problems of flash floods due to congested trash coco husk is now resolved through the functions of the processing plant.

Meanwhile, Consultant on Agri-Special Concerns, Dashiel Indelible, who represented and read Governor Corazon Malanyaon’s message said, that the processing plant is the result of  hard work and convergence of the Provincial Government  and the people anchored on the goal of intensifying food sufficiency and creating additional income to the people of Davao Oriental.

Maria Angela Villalba of UnladKabayan—the project’s direct beneficiary, conveyed her gratitude to the MRDP and the Provincial Government’s backing efforts for the construction of the processing plant together with the international bodies. She hopes that the beneficiaries will work as one to continue and develop what they have received by taking full responsibility in sustaining this project.

Villalbaalso reminded the community that the challenge on a business like this cannot be found at the beginning, but rather in the process of sustaining it.