It is a proud moment for the Tanikala ng Pagkakaisa Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TPMPC) as their coco geonet from their Marinduque Coco Geonet Production and Trading enterprise from the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) was finally laid out as slope protection for the Concreting of Cawit – Tugos Farm To Market Road, another subproject from the PRDP.

“Marami na talagang [kaming] pinag-daanang problema, siguro kasama na talaga ‘yon. Sa ngayon, sana ito na ‘yung umpisa [ng tagumpay]. ‘Yung Nangka at Butansapa [cooperatives], umaasa ako na sila ay magsu-supply sa amin ng twine. Magtulungan lang. ‘Pag nagsama-sama ay kayang-kaya,” said TPMPC’s Chairman Pacifico Mabato, or more commonly known as Mang Pico.

(We’ve encountered a lot of problems, but I guess that’s really part of the process. I hope this is the beginning [of our success]. We also hope that Nangka and Butansapa [cooperatives] would supply us with twine. We just need to help each other. We can do things if we work together.)

Slope protection is applied to road works in consideration of the long-term stability of the project and the economic feasibility of saving on repair and maintenance. The usual materials used are mesh and steel plates; however, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) proposed alternative materials that are compatible with Philippine soil and climate.

Coconet Bio-Engineering Solutions or the use of coco geonet is one of the alternatives proposed by the DPWH. Using the said material allows vegetation to grow while stabilizing slopes and minimizing soil erosion. 

This partnership was made possible through the joint effort of the Local Government Units of the Municipality of Boac and the Province of Marinduque, tapping on two PRDP subprojects for mutual gain. The rural infrastructure provides TPMPC with road and market access, while TPMPC provides the FMR with a more affordable and eco-friendly slope protection alternative.

“Sa awa ng Diyos, hindi na mahihirapan [dumaan] sa kalsadang ito. Ang laging issue dito pagdating ng disaster, bar down (landslide), wala na madaanan. Pagdating sa mga sasakyan ay reklamo dahil napakahirap ng daan ng pag-akyat dito. Dekada na po ito,” Cawit Barangay Captain Benido Mendeja recalled.

(Through God’s mercy, we won’t be having a hard time passing through this road now. Landslides are always the issue in this area during disasters as the area becomes impassable. We receive a lot of complaints from motorists. It’s been decades.)

The Marinduque Coco Geonet Production and Trading is a Php4.5 million-worth enterprise completed in April 2021. This subproject supports more than 900 Tanikala ng Pagkakaisa Multi-Purpose Cooperative farmer members. On the other hand, the Concreting of Cawit – Tugos Farm To Market Road is an ongoing FMR subproject worth Php 85.8 million with a total length of 2.9 kilometers. Once completed, this subproject will benefit more than 12,000 residents in 2,700 households around its Road Influence Area. # (Danica A. Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

Tanikala ng Pagkakaisa Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s coco geonet being laid out along the slopes of the Concreting of Cawit – Tugos Farm To Market Road. (Photo by Danica A. Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)