Leyte to get P60-M coco coir facility

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) plans to set up a P60-million coco coir tufting facility in Javier, Leyte to produce high quality mats, geotextiles and rugs. “Through this tufting facility, we will not just be exporting low-cost raw fiber. If we can ship semi-finished and finished products, there’s an added value,” PCA Regional Manager Edilberto V. Nierva said.

Mr. Nierva said machines will be delivered from India within the year and will be available for local coconut farmers to use. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, PCA Administrator Euclides G. Forbes, and Javier Mayor Leonardo M. Javier will sign an agreement on Oct. 26 in Javier town to govern the facility’s operation.

Under the agreement, the PCA will provide the facility while the local government unit will mobilize the coconut farmers organization and put up counterpart funds. Mr. Nierva said the coco coir processing project will benefit about 500 families and can generate up to 2,500 jobs solely for twine making.

Cynthia R. Nierras, Trade department regional director, said coco coir processing is a priority under the agency’s shared services facility program for Eastern Visayas. “Considering that we are one of the top coconut producing regions in the country and high demand for coco coir here and abroad, we envisioned to make the region [the] number one producer and supplier of geo-nets,” Ms. Nierras said.

Some 649,000 hectares, or 31% of the region’s farm lands, are planted with coconut trees. Eastern Visayas produces an average of 2 billion nuts each year.