ILOILO CITY (PIA) – – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is revving up the coconut industry of the municipality of Tubungan, Iloilo with the recent launch of a Shared Service Facility (SSF) for the production of coconut charcoal briquette.
Coconut farmers and entrepreneurs in the town were provided advanced tools and resources through the SSF, a flagship program of DTI that aims to revolutionize the local coconut industry.
The SSF is also part of the DTI’s initiative to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by equipping them with the necessary infrastructure to add value to coconut by-products. The facility will process coconut waste into high-quality charcoal and briquettes, opening new income streams for the local coconut industry, according to the DTI-Iloilo press report.
DTI Iloilo Provincial Director Ma. Dinda R. Tamayo and Mayor Roquito G. Tacsagon led the launching and ribbon cutting ceremony of the SSF for Coconut Charcoal and Briquette Production in the village of San Jose which was attended by representatives from different national government agencies, key officials from the local government, and members of the community.
Tacsagon expressed optimism about the potential of the facility to empower the coconut farmers and entrepreneurs to create products that are not only profitable but also environmentally sustainable during the program held at the Tubungan Gymnasium as part of the town’s National Coconut Week celebration.
On the other hand, Tamayo highlighted the significance of the SSF as a cornerstone of the government’s efforts to support rural development that will help the local businesses thrive by giving them access to the latest technology and training to enhance the competitiveness of the coconut industry in Iloilo.
Jonathan Tejida, the SuTIDS of DTI Iloilo, also underscored the importance of SSF when he explained how it will greatly improve the productivity and quality of coconut products, thereby unlocking enhanced economic opportunities for coconut farmers and driving growth within the sector.
The town’s Public Employment Service Office, as the lead office in employment generation, has also been instrumental in ensuring that the local workforce is equipped with the necessary skills and opportunities to prosper in the industry.
The inauguration of the SSF added significance to this year’s National Coconut Week celebration of the town. The event brought together farmers, entrepreneurs, and the community to celebrate the town’s rich coconut heritage while looking forward to a future of growth and innovation. (AAL/LAF/DTI-Iloilo)
