The Quezon coconut industry is bound to reach new heights as the Quezon Federation and Union of Cooperatives and its partners, the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project and the Quezon provincial government, launched a major virgin coconut oil processing facility in Brgy. Pinagbahaan, Pagbilao, Quezon. 

Funded under the DA-PRDP, the said enterprise aims to diversify the utilization and marketing of coconut products which will encourage continued local coconut production and sustainable economic growth. It is composed of a processing facility, processing equipment, and materials worth Php 70,525,000.10. The facility has a processing capacity of 15,000 whole nuts a day equivalent to 2,000 liters of VCO making it a big market opportunity for coconut producers not just in the province, but also in the entire Calabarzon region.

To sustain their supply and ensure a market for coconut farmers, the QFUC forged a partnership with four member cooperatives to supply coconuts to their facility. They are also offering employment to locals for VCO processing. Currently, the QFUC is continuously undergoing trainings and complying requirements to be able to export their VCO products outside the country.

“Lubos po naming binabati ang QFUC sa kanilang tagumpay na ito. Patuloy pong magbibigay ng suporta ang DA-PRDP at DA Regional Field Office 4A sa enterprise na ito at sa coconut production and marketing upang maging sustenable ang pag-unlad at pagkita ng ating mga magsasaka,” shared DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office Calabarzon Deputy Project Director Engr. Redelliza Gruezo.

QFUC Board of Directors President Paz Bobadilla expressed her gratitude for all the support they received to successfully launch the enterprise. #

Various QFUC member cooperatives attended the launching of the DA-PRDP VCO processing facility as a sign of support and commitment to help their enterprise grow. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

To ensure the efficiency and safety of the facility, the QFUC partnered with the DOST to conduct test runs and inspections before launching operations. They also trained in food safety with the DOST Food Safety Team to apply for licenses and certifications from the Food and Drug Authority. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

DA-PRDP 4A Deputy Project Director Engr. Redelliza Gruezo joined QFUC BOD President Paz Bobadilla in unveiling the processing facility’s building marker. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

According to QFUC VCO Processing Production Supervisor Gideon Salamat, the QFUC is continuously working on improving the quality of their VCO for better marketability and competitiveness. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

Representatives of four QFUC member cooperatives signed a binding document with QFUC BOD President Paz Bobadilla as a sign of their commitment to supply raw materials to the VCO processing enterprise. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

During the launching, QFUC members introduced and marketed their products to their guests. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)