The processing facility for virgin coconut oil is set to be built in the towns of Tagkawayan and Panukulan in Quezon province.
Tagkawayan Mayor Luis Oscar Eleazar and Panukulan Mayor Alfred Rigor Mitra already hold the P17 million worth of check funds to be used for the construction of the facility.
It was presented by the Philippine Coconut Authority at a turnover ceremony in Lucena City on Thursday attended by PCA Administrator Benjamin Madrigal Jr., 1st District Rep. Wilfredo Mark Enverga, 4th District Rep. Angelina Tan and Governor Danilo Suarez’s representative Jenny Suarez-Lopez, chief-of-staff of Quezon Province.
In her video message, Senator Cynthia Villar who holds the Agriculture committee, said it was a big help for coconut growers in the province.
“Ito ay malaking tulong sa ating mga magni-niyog na magkaroon ng dagdag na kita sa kanilang niyugan at hindi lamang aasa sa kopra,” said Villar.
But apart from the additional revenue, it can also be used against the province and the country in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virgin coconut oil processing plant to be built in 2 towns in Quezon
“Maka-address din dito sa ating pandemya dahil sinabi nga ang VCO ay mataas, meron sa pag-aaral na meron siyang anti viral properties, ibig sabihin sa test tube napatunayan na po ito, sinisira niya yung membrane ng virus yung kanyang loric content,” said Madrigal.
The two congressmen, on the other hand, want to attend the program to learn more about the needs of coconut growers in the province, especially coconut farming is the source of income for most of the people of Quezon.
“Nang sa gayon ay atin naman pong matustusan ng anumang pamamaraan kung ito ma’y budget para mas mapabilis yung atin pong paglulunsad ng programa,” said Enverga.
Tan added, “This time nakita natin meron tayong mga convergence project, na hindi matapos sa pagkokopra lamang ang ating mga magni-niyog kung hindi gamitin pa yung ibang pwedeng produkto na madevelop natin out of coconut.”
“Isang malaking oportunidad sa aming bayan lalong-lalo na sa aming magni-niyog, dahil po dito ay magkakaroon po ng dagdag income. Umasa po kayo na ang bayan ng Panukulan ay mas lalo pang susuportahan ang mga programa ng national government,” said Mitra.
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