Representatives from the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Project Support Office (PSO) South Luzon and the Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) MIMAROPA conducted a series of business planning meetings with three aspiring Proponent Groups (PGs) in Occidental Mindoro from July 27 to 29, 2021.

The PGs include the Watchers Multi-Purpose Cooperative and the Genaro Multi-Purpose Cooperative with their proposed subproject, “Establishment of Onion Cold Storage Facility” in San Jose and Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro, respectively; and the Federation of Fisherfolk Association for their “Tuna Processing Facility” proposed subproject in Rizal.

Business planning is one of the I-REAP component’s tools that ensures enterprise viability and sustainability. This is made possible by creating a sound, holistic business plan, which includes market analysis, competitor assessment, feasibility study, and financial planning, among others.

Genro Multi-Purpose Cooperative Chairman Leodegario Quilit Jr. expressed his appreciation of the business planning process, as this would ultimately be beneficial for their organization.

“Siyempre, kapag may business planning, doon pa lang, made-determine mo na kung feasible ba o hindi ‘yung project, so malaki ang magiging tulong nitong business planning, kasi ‘yan ‘yung magiging sandata natin kung okay ‘yung papasukin nating business,” Quilit said.

(Of course, if there is business planning, you will be able to determine from the start if the project is feasible or not. Business planning is a great help as this will serve as a tool to determine if the business venture is okay or not.)

Quilit also expressed his hopes for the cooperative upon the establishment of the cold storage facility.

“Pag may cold storage, malaking tulong ito sa samahan namin, kasi madadagdagan ang income naming mga magsi-sibuyas. Itong storage kasi ang nagpapatagal ng buhay ng sibuyas at nagiging daan para mapataas ang presyo at kumita rin naman ‘yung kooperatiba at mga miyembro,” Quilit explained.

(A cold storage [facility] will help us tremendously as we can expect an increase in income for our onion farmers. This facility will extend the shelf life of the onions and will make it possible for us to sell the onions at a highly profitable price. This will help the members and the cooperative to earn better.)

Upon completion of the business plan and after a series of business plan writing workshops and consultations, the PG will then have to present their proposal to the Regional Project Advisory Board for funding and approval. (Danica A. Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

DA-PRDP PSO and RPCO together with the representatives of the Genaro Multi-Purpose Cooperative discuss the proposed “Establishment of Onion Cold Storage Facility in Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro” subproject, July28. (Photo by Danica Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

DA-PRDP PSO and RPCO together with the representatives of the Watchers Multi-Purpose Cooperative discuss the proposed “Establishment of Onion Cold Storage Facility in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro” subproject, July27. (Photo by Danica Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

DA-PRDP PSO and RPCO together with the representatives of the Federation of Fisherfolk Association in Rizal discuss the proposed “Tuna Processing Facility” subproject, July 29. (Photo by Danica Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)