IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon (PIA) – To support the Kauyagan Multipurpose Cooperative's (Kauyagan MPC) efficient supply chain management, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-Northern Mindanao) through the Corn Program, turned over a P3.25 million hauling truck on April 1 at Impasugong town.
The ceremony, led by DA's Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet Lopez and Corn Focal Person Richan Lacanaria, facilitated the transfer of the certificate of award. Impasugong town Mayor Anthony Uy accepted the key of responsibility on behalf of Kauyagan MPC General Manager Imelda Esteban.
With a six-metric-ton carrying capacity, the hauling truck aligns with the current agriculture secretary’s medium-term plan to boost agricultural productivity, lower food costs, attain food security, and advance the agri-fishery sector.
“This [the hauling truck] will help modernize and industrialize the agriculture chain in an inclusive way to enhance productivity, uplift villagers from poverty, improve livelihood and increase farmers' income,” Lacanaria said.
Kauyagan MPC General Manager Imelda Esteban clarified that the vehicle will prioritize use by the coop's 250 farmer-members engaged in corn production, consolidation, and marketing.
Apart from corn, they consolidate coffee and abaca sourced from indigenous communities in the upland areas of the town and its adjacent municipality, Sumilao.
“We are an agri-based cooperative. Among our major services is into savings and credit, but we [coop] thought there is a need to enhance our agricultural enterprise because many of our members are into farming,” the coop official said, adding that their scope of membership and operations is provincewide, with focus on the mentioned two towns.
The manager expressed gratitude for the provision, citing collaboration and shared vision with national and local governments in improving coop members' quality of life as key to providing the unit to Kauyagan MPC.
"This victory is for all cooperative members. Let's support our coop's services, products, and policies to ensure its success in the future," said Esteban, encouraging fellow members to contribute to its growth.
With the new facility, she said the coop intends to expand its operations, such as cassava production, and assist local vegetable gardeners to get fair prices for their produce.
Lacanaria praised the cooperative, especially since they are among the recipients of five hauling trucks recently granted by the Corn program, emphasizing the importance of sustaining the government's investment by allocating funds for repair and maintenance.
Established in 2004 with 27 members, the Kauyagan Savers MPC, formerly known as the Kauyagan Savers Cooperative, chaired by Paul Richard A. Paraguya, has expanded to approximately 2,600 members. They offer services like loans, bill payments, ATM services, and educational assistance.
Impasugong municipal agriculturist Engr. Roan Fernandez, along with local coop officials, members, and other regional and municipal agricultural staff, joined in the turnover ceremony. (JLO/DA 10/PIA 10-Bukidnon)
