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PRDP Caraga turns over P4.2M abaca subproject to MUFACO
The ‘Abaca Fiber Processing and Marketing’ subproject was officially turned over to the Muritula Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (MUFACO) on March 21 at Brgy. Muritula, San Luis, Agusan del Sur.
The subproject, totaling P4.2M, aims to address constraints in the postharvest and processing of abaca fibers in the municipality of San Luis. This includes the provision of hauling vehicles, nine units of mobile stripping machines, heavy-duty weighing scales, and additional buying capital, among others.
MUFACO Chairman Santos A. Escalicas expressed his gratitude for the culmination of the cooperative’s efforts. He says that the interventions they’ve received from DA PRDP thus far have already resulted in noticeable improvements in the cooperative’s operations, especially in facilitating the consolidation of abaca fibers across six barangays in the municipality.
‘We were able to avail of nine mobile stripping machines from DA-PRDP, which we used to establish buying stations in the barangays assisting associations that have had difficulties operating. We distributed stripping machines to six cluster associations in six barangays. We hope that this will encourage them as having these machines will also improve the quality of their fibers,’ adds Escalicas.
IREAP Component Head Lynn A. Pareñas congratulated MUFACO for reaching a significant milestone in their journey, emphasizing that while the turn-over signifies the completion of their subproject, it marks only the beginning for the cooperative.
MUFACO Manager Antonino Real takes this challenge head-on, expressing the cooperative’s vision for their enterprise moving forward.
‘This is just the beginning for us. Of course, we will work hard to expand the enterprise and sustain it so that our children can also benefit from this subproject. Future generations will no longer have to face the struggles we faced in marketing our products,’ said Real.
