Palayan City, NUEVA ECIJA – The Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) – Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) has unanimously approved the P7.3 million enterprise subproject -Establishment of Mango Processing Center from the proposal of the Palayan City Mango Growers Association (PCMGA), here.

PCMGA Member Edna Soriano presented the enterprise proposal to the RBAP Memb chaired by Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director Crispulo G. Bautista Jr. together with Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO 3) Project Director Dr. Eduardo L. Lapuz Jr. and RPCO 3 Action Officer Gil G. David held at the DA Conference Room on November 6, 2019.

According to Soriano, the Mango Processing Center is a way to expand their production of mango -based products such as mango juice, vinegar and wine to accommodate the growing demand from consumers in their city.

“We maybe doing the processing of mango vinegar for a year but we have received positive feedback from customers with an increase in demand.  We can say the cooperative has earned more from it,” Soriano said.

Under the subproject, the cooperative will purchase unmarketable mangoes from mango growers that will be processed into mango juice, vinegar and wine through the Mango Processing Center. Then, products will be distributed for selling to target market among which are schools, offices and caterers to let them know the nutritional benefit of mango by products.

 “With the Mango Processing Center, we assure you that it will be utilized to enhance the quality of our products,” Soriano added.

Meanwhile, Dir. Bautista expressed optimism on the potential of the subproject as it is also a way to help mango growers in Nueva Ecija.

PCMGA thanked the RPAB Members for the guidance, support and encouragement handed to the association after the thorough review of the enterprise proposal.

The RPAB approval serves as the first step in securing funds under the PRDP.

Also present during the RPAB Meeting are Iluminado Ocampo, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Vilma V. Garcia, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Russel Benedict P. Gotiangco, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Engr. Francisco A. Fernandez, Regional Agricultural and Fishery and Council (RAFC) and Florita S. Dela Cruz from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). (Ma. Reina Len Luna, RPCO3 InfoACE)