Bayugan, Agusan del Sur-The Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) in Caraga officially handed the completed subproject to the Bayugan Rubber Producers Cooperative (BARUPCO) in Brgy. Canayugan, Bayugan City, Agusan Del Sur last December 21, 2020. 

The P7.27 million was used for the site development and construction of warehouse with perimeter fence.  The establishment of this facility is under the infra component of the “Quality Raw Rubber Production, Processing and Marketing” enterprise subproject.

The turn-over ceremony was attended by Provincial Agriculturist Armando Valiente, RPCO Deputy Project Director Jodel A. Tabada, other local officials, and the BARUPCO Manager Mr. Ismael A. Elevazo, as well as the board of directors and members.

Ribbon cutting ceremony led by Provincial Agriculturist Armando Valiente, RPCO Deputy Project Director Jodel A. Tabada, and the BARUPCO Manager Mr. Ismael A. Elevazo. (Photo by RPCO 13)

In his message, BARUPCO Manager Elevazo expressed their gratitude for the project they received from DA-PRDP. He also said that they look forward to seeing more doors of opportunities in the upcoming years.

Prior to this turnover, the package for the enterprise component worth P9.39 million had already been completed which include one unit wheelers wing van (20 tonners) worth P5.5 million, one unit forward truck (10 tonners with front drive) worth P3.74 million, and weighing scale worth P150,000.

Through this subproject, DA-PRDP with the proponent group aim to boost the economy of the rubber industry in the province and to be able to increase the income of rubber farmers.

Part of the subproject’s objective is to bring opportunities for farmers to avail reasonable prices for their cup lumps, and to enhance their existing activities like trading, production, and consolidation of quality cum lumps.

The Investments for Rural Enterprises, and Agricultural and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) component of DA-PRDP aims to strengthen and develop viable agriculture and fishery-based enterprises by providing technical, financial and infrastructure support to eligible proponent groups in targeted project areas within the priority value chains.

It’s expected deliverables include increase in number of producers group participating in vertically linked commodity, support service agreements developed between enterprises and service providers, producer activity enhanced through agreements for marketing and technical services, and producers including smallholders adoption of climate smart technologies.

A total of 180 beneficiaries will benefit from this subproject and is expected to expand as the cooperative continues to grow. (Joy M. Montecalvo with reports from RPCO 13)