JORDAN, GUIMARAS – Mango is among the agricultural commodities supported by the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) in the South Luzon cluster.

That’s why the South Luzon Project Support Office and MIMAROPA and CALABARZON Regional Project Coordination Offices (RPCOs) Enterprise Development component arranged a Benchmarking Activity and Mango Processing Training for the mango proponent groups in Guimaras, including Tagumpay Agrarian Auto Savings Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TAASMPC) of Puerto Princesa City (PPC), Palawan and Magsasakang Tanaueño Agricultural Marketing Cooperative (MTAMC) of Tanauan, Batangas.

The Guimaras province is famous for producing one of the sweetest mangoes in the world, hence, dubbed as the “Mango Capital of the Philippines” from local and foreign tourists.

In coordination with the PRDP – RPCO Western Visayas, the activity primarily aims to assess the readiness of the mentioned PGs in executing their mango enterprises and equip them with the technical knowledge and skills to boost the performance of their operations.

Before the training proper, the team took a tour around the National Mango Research and Development Center at San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras to gain insight about the mango production.

A representative from the Bureau of Plant Industry discussed along the way the good agricultural practices for mango trees, the different varieties and characteristics of mangoes in the Philippines, and pests and diseases that infect the fruit.

For the mango processing, the team visited McNester Food Products, a local establishment in Guimaras that offers a variety of mango products, where the training was held. The activity was divided into two parts – a quick overview of the history and background of the enterprise and the hands-on mango processing.

Led by the owner of McNester, Rebecca Tubongbanua, the training allowed the TAASMPC and MTAMC to experience the actual procedure in processing dried mango and mango puree.

“Napakahalaga po sa amin ng training na ito. Dito po namin natutunan kung paano mag-process ng mangga, simula sa paghugas at paghiwa hanggang sa pagpapatuyo (This training is very important for us [members]. Here, we have learned techniques on how to process mangoes, from washing and slicing to drying mangoes], Rosie Tibar, TAASMPC Vice Chairman, said during an interview.

Elis Abayon, MTAMC Treasurer, assured that the gained knowledge from the activity will be shared with the other members/processors of their enterprises. With this, the PGs and local government units were required to assist in the reechoing of the training.

Moreover, Tubongbanua gave the PGs advice on how to sustain their mango enterprises.

“Based on my experience, sipag at tiyaga talaga. Bigyan ng passion at pahalagahan [ang trabaho] dahil kung hindi mo mahal ang ginagawa mo, walang mangyayari. Higit sa lahat, magtrabaho mula sa puso (Based on my experience, it is really diligence and perseverance. Be passionate about your work because if you don’t love what you are doing, nothing will happen. Most importantly, work from the heart),” Tubongbanua expressed.

She also added that during off-season, PGs should try to innovate other products by combining other fruits and vegetables thus, their businesses will run continuously in production. ### (Lea Caliuag, DA-PRDP South Luzon PSO InfoACE Unit)

TAASMPC and MTAMC memebers experience the proper slicing of mango fruit during the hands-on training for dried mangoes. (Photo by Ana Francesca Chavez)

Assisted by Rebecca Tubongbanua (center), TAASMPC members perform the actual procedure of making dried mangoes during the hands-on training. (Photo by Ana Francesca Chavez)

Ramon Policarpio, Enterprise Development and Marketing Specialist of RPCO MIMAROPA, assures the PG members that they will continuously receive the assistance that they need from the PRDP. (Photo by Ana Francesca Chavez)