Three (3) hauling truck facilities were recently turned over to the Paglaum Consolidated Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PCMPC) in Barangay New Cebu, Pres. Roxas, Cotabato.
This was made possible through the collaboration of the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) and the provincial government of Cotabato. The PRDP is a national government program that aims to strengthen the economic status of rural areas in the country.
The vehicles, worth PhP17.9 million which are funded by the World Bank in partnership with the DA, will be used by PCMPC to transport the coconut products of their farmer members free of charge.
Moreover, the subproject will address other common problems of coconut farmer-members such as high rejection rate, high transportation costs, delays in delivery, and lack of capitalization.
The subproject is expected to provide transportation facilities to reduce the rejection rate by 20% and the transportation cost by 10%, as well, as augment working capital to increase the buying capacity.
Governor Emmylou Taliรฑo-Mendoza expressed her congratulations to the officials and members of PCMPC for the achievement of their cooperative in developing their community.
She also encouraged them to continue to actively promote progress by teaching them technology that could help improve their livelihood and increase the income of farmer members.
Officials of PCMPC expressed their gratitude upon receiving the hauling trucks.
General Manager Sheila Bautista noted that the tedious process made it more fulfilling on the part of the management and farmer members of the coop.
โWe prepared and underwent a long process for approval, and we are now seeing the fruit of our labor,โ Manager Bautista said.
The turnover was attended by the Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulatory Dr. Lorna Vilbar, representing PRDP Project Director John Pascual. It was also witnessed by Acting Provincial Cooperative Development Officer Shirly C. Pace, representatives from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist such as Engr. Arlene S. Codero, Engr. Elena Ragonton, and some PRDP employees. (๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐น ๐จ๐น๐๐๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ด๐๐ถ๐น๐น๐ผ๐ป | ๐ฅ๐ฃ๐๐ข ๐ญ๐ฎ)