Members of the Nansuagao Agrarian Reform Cooperative (ARC) drove home a brand new six-wheeler delivery truck from the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) on 29 November 2019.

The Nansuagao ARC is the recipient of the Multiplier Onion Seed Production and Trading Enterprise in Ilocos Sur with a total investment cost of Php7,007,102.35 (including 20% proponent group equity). The six-wheeler delivery truck is a component of the onion enterprise.

The Cooperative’s six-wheeler truck costs Php2,480,000 and has a capacity of five (5) tons. It will be used in the delivery of harvested shallots to identified markets. The Cooperative estimates that the truck will transport shallot onions thrice a week during harvest season and will use the truck in the hauling and delivery of other commodities once a week during off-season.

Aside from the six-wheeler truck, the Nansuagao ARC had received onion planting materials, 12,000 pieces of red bags, three (3) units of weighing scale, five (5) units of heavy duty trolleys, five (5) units of industrial fans, one (1) unit of water pump with complete accessories, and one unit of farm tractor with complete accessories. The Cooperative is also set to receive Php 617,031 trading capital and onion hanger (collapsible) from the PRDP.

At present, the Cooperative is already utilizing the awarded interventions. According to the Cooperative’s manager, Ms. Estrella Gaviola, “We rent out the water pump for only Php100 to help reduce the cost of production of our farmer members. For the tractor, we also rent it out for a lesser amount compared to private operators.” She added that, “the Cooperative will use it to deliver products in other provinces. On its return trip, we will purchase products from that province and sell it here for extra income.”

The Cooperative’s Chairperson, Ms. Helen Quindipan, also shared how the PRDP is changing the Cooperative for the better, “Our Cooperative members and officers feel so blessed. We are thankful because of the improvement of our farms and, of course, the improvement PRDP made on our lives. Thank you!”

The members of Nansuagao ARC successfully obtained the approval of their enterprise from the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) in Region 1 on November 6, 2017. On the same month, on November 29, 2017, the Cooperative acquired the No Objection Letter for its proposal.

With the trading capital, GI pipes, and swivel coupler the only remaining items to be procured, the Nansuagao ARC’s onion enterprise is 81.62% completed. (Ilocos InfoACE)