DTI awards P960k worth of SSF to coconut farmers cooperative in Laguna CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) -- DTI Laguna awarded and launched yesterday a shared service facility (SSF) to a cooperative in Cavinti, Laguna. The "Lingap sa Nayon ng Barangay Anglas Multi-Purpose Cooperative (or Lingap)" in Cavinti, Laguna, is Calabarzon’s second to be awarded this year. First was a dry powder packing equipment worth P353,000 awarded to Pinagdanlayan Rural Improvement Club in Dolores, Quezon, for its instant salabat production. The service facility consisted of a gas engine-powered decorticating machine, a baling machine (box baler), a gas engine-driven winnowing/peat screening machine, a 300-kg digital weighing scale, 40 sets of wooden twining machine, 5 units of twin twisting machine, 10 sets of loom – all costing around P960,000. Lingap is a group of coconut farmers organized in 1994 with 34 members engaged in coconut production and is registered with the Cooperative Development Authority. Through DTI’s coco coir cluster development approach, a huge potential for alternative livelihood has been identified with the coconut husks that instead of being wasted away after harvesting, a certain/required process/processing could convert these into usable products. The facility is capable of processing coconut husks into various products: coir, peat, ropes and geo-nets that will be sold in the local market. The shared-service facility project under DTI’s ‘Big Push for Enterprise Development’ program would provide entrepreneurs a common service area with advanced and better production equipment and machinery to improve productivity and quality of products, thus increasing competitiveness of enterprises to access a better and wider market. The SSF project is expected to directly impact on the generation of jobs, exports and investments consequently increasing the chances of achieving inclusive growth and poverty alleviation particularly in the countryside. Noel Florido of Cocos Nucifera Pacific Enterprises – an anchor firm for Calabarzon’s coco coir industry – said that at least 108 jobs will be generated given the quantity and specifications of the machines that make up the facility. Florido added that there is high domestic demand for geo-nets as they are extensively used for mining sites, roadside slope protection, riverbank lining, watershed protection, erosion control, and many others. Among the guests present during the ceremonial launch at a covered court across the Municipal Hall is Cavinti’s new chief executive, Mayor Milbert Oliveros, who welcomed guests and expressed gratitude to DTI and other enablers for awarding the SSF to Lingap. Also, DTI Regional Director for Calabarzon Marilou Quinco-Toledo briefed on the overview of the SSF program and underscored the role and significance of the micro and other community-based enterprises in driving the local economy. Blesila Lantayona, DTI’s assistant secretary for regional operations said the SSF is one among the compendium of integrated government services for SME development. She elaborated on the role of DTI’s SSF program to the achievement of inclusive growth. Noel Florido enumerated various market prospects for coco coir products. In accepting the facility, Lingap acting chairman Nicanor Tinea thanked all individuals and organizations involved in the SSF project. “Halos hindi kami makapaniwala na ganito kabilis dumating ang pinakamimithi naming ayuda mula sa pamahalaan upang kami ay magkaroon ng alternatibong pangkabuhayan at negosyo. Maraming salamat po,” said Mr. Tinea. (“We almost can’t believe that we can have the assistance from the government this fast. Now, we have an alternative livelihood and business endeavor we have been longing for. Thank you very much,” said Mr. Tinea). Also present were representatives of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) led by Eduardo Nicolas, vice governor for Southern Luzon; Virgilio Lorenzo (Laguna CCI); Romeo Race and Reymundo De Leon, both from the San Pablo City CCI. The DTI provincial office in Laguna has approved 12 SSF proposals for the following industry clusters: food, engineered bamboo, coconut coir, gifts & home decors, wearables (footwear, bayong, embroidery), all of which shall be awarded within the year. (DTI/ACO/PIA-Laguna)
Posted on: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 09:31:39 +0000
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