By PR | 03:57 PM February 26, 2026
MABINI, BOHOL — Coconut farmers in Barangay Aguipo received a major boost on February 25, 2026, with the formal turnover of a white copra processing facility under the Shared Facilities Processing component of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).
The facility was awarded to the Aguipo Coconut Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative in a ceremony led by Philippine Coconut Authority Administrator Dexter Buted. Also present were Board Member Lucille Lagunay; Third District Representative Kristine Alexie Tutor, represented by Bayani Tutor; Mabini Mayor Ongie Grace Bernales-Lim; and Aguipo Barangay Captain Federico Ibañez, along with officials from partner agencies and institutions.
In a message, Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado congratulated the cooperative, led by Chairperson Corazon Ayag, for securing the processing facility, describing it as a vital investment in the livelihood of coconut farmers.
He emphasized that the equipment would significantly improve productivity, product quality, and income opportunities for members.
The governor expressed gratitude to partner agencies that made the project possible, including the Department of Agriculture, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech). He noted that sustained institutional support reflects a shared commitment to modernizing and strengthening the coconut industry.
Aumentado underscored that Bohol’s long-term development depends largely on how current agricultural challenges are addressed. He reiterated the province’s vision of becoming a “smart, resilient, and inclusive” province anchored on climate-smart agriculture, human development, and sustainable growth, aligned with Bohol’s Strategic Governance Roadmap.
He also highlighted the importance of having accessible processing facilities within farming communities, noting that proximity reduces costs, improves efficiency, and ensures better returns for farmers. The project, he said, demonstrates the power of collaboration among national agencies, the provincial government, and local stakeholders.
The governor urged cooperative members to safeguard and properly maintain the facility to ensure its long-term benefits for present and future farmers.
Also attending the ceremony were Aurora Paquibot, regional manager of PCA VII; Vianney Ojerio of the DA-Agricultural Training Institute VII; Vierna Ligan of the Department of Trade and Industry-Bohol; Cirilo Namoc; John Philipp Bael of the Land Bank of the Philippines Bohol Lending Center; and Margie Vallejos of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.
With the new white copra processing facility in place, coconut farmers in Aguipo and nearby communities are expected to strengthen their value-adding capacity, improve product standards, and contribute more significantly to the continued growth of Bohol’s agricultural sector.
