The Pasuquin Farmers Garlic and Onion Growers Association (PFGOGA) received the packages of the Onion Production, Consolidation and Marketing Enterprise under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) during a turnover ceremony held at Barangay Nalvo, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte on October 19, 2018.

Chairman Rolano Calimbas of the PFGOGA said, “We have always dreamt of marketing our produce outside Ilocos Norte. With the PRDP truck, it is now possible.” The awarded packages of the onion enterprise include a six-wheeler truck, 5,712 pieces of red net bags, and 240 cans of Red Pinoy onion seeds. Aside from these, the Association will also receive Php 498,320 as trading capital. The total investment cost for the onion enterprise is Php3,030,000 including the 20% equity of PFGOGA.

The onion enterprise of the PFGOGA was approved by the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) on September 22, 2016 and received a No Objection Letter (NOL) on December 12, 2017.

Enterprise Component Head Ms. Wilhelmina Castañeda reminded the Association that the award of the onion enterprise is both a blessing and a responsibility, “It is a blessing for obvious reasons. On the other hand, it is also a responsibility because your Association now faces the challenge of turning this blessing into a profitable and sustainable onion enterprise.”

PRDP-funded enterprises have the general objective to increase the income of direct beneficiaries by 20% after six years or by the Project’s end. PRDP’s end goal is to create farm entrepreneurs with sustainable enterprises.

The PFGOGA’s onion enterprise is the only regular enterprise subproject in the Province of Ilocos Norte. There are, however, seven (7) Small Livelihood Projects (SLPs) in the Province. SLPs are rehabilitation projects which cost not more than Php1 million.

Upon receipt of the trading capital, the Enterprise Component and the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit will closely monitor the operations of PFGOGA’s onion enterprise. Meanwhile another regular enterprise is being prepared to support the garlic commodity in the Province of Ilocos Norte. (Ilocos InfoACE)

Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Angelo Marcos Barba awards the key of the six-wheeler truck to the members of the PFGOGA.

Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Angelo Marcos Barba awards the key of the six-wheeler truck to the members of the PFGOGA.