Coconut processing facility launched in Misamis Oriental

THE Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) said it launched a P350-million integrated coconut processing facility in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental under a public-private partnership (PPP). 

The PPP project between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the First Community Cooperative has the capacity to process 60,000 nuts daily into high-value products, the PCA said in a statement.

The high-value products include cocoboard, activated carbon, virgin coconut oil, flour, skim milk, and health drinks.

The PCA said products will be sold in both domestic and export markets.

The facility is expected to directly generate employment for at least 2,500 people, it said.

The project is also projected to trigger the planting of one million coconut trees every year. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza