A multi-million peso project, a joint venture between the First Integrated Community Cooperative (Ficco) and the Department of Agriculture (DA-10), is nearing completion in the town of Balingasag.
The project, located on a 6-hectare compound in Barangay San Isidro, comprises a coconut processing plant, a rice processing plant, and a husk processing factory.
According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Pacamalan, the facilities are scheduled to be inaugurated this October. The coconut and rice processing plants are expected to significantly boost local food production and create new job opportunities.
In addition to the food processing plants, Ficco and DA-10 will also launch a husk processing factory that will produce tarima and plywood. Notably, the office building within the compound is constructed primarily with bamboo, reflecting the project’s commitment to sustainability.
The total investment for the project is estimated at half a billion pesos, covering land acquisition, building construction, machinery purchases, facility development, and other infrastructure.
Pacamalan expressed optimism that the testing phase for the machines would be completed soon, allowing for a smooth start to operations next month.
The coconut processing plant is equipped with 14 machines and is projected to process 60,000 nuts per day.
Meanwhile, the rice processing plant can accommodate the produce from 500 hectares of rice land, with a milling capacity of two to 3.5 tons per hour.
Balingasag Vice Mayor Felix Borromeo hailed the project as a major development for the town, anticipating that it would greatly benefit local small and medium businesses and improve the livelihoods of residents.