LARENA, Siquijor (PIA) — To promote sustainable practices and bolster local craftsmanship, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) here initiated a training on the production of non-food products for 30 participants from the Siquijor Coconut Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (SICOFAMCO).
The training is done in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Siquijor and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) 7.
Project development officer Arniel Concepcion of PCA-Siquijor said that Siquijor has an abundance of coconut plants.
“However, many coconut fruits and midribs are left unutilized because they are not given value,” he said.
The training, divided into Phases 1 and 2, aimes to create new opportunities and equip participants with skills in utilizing coconut-based materials for creating eco-friendly products such as making bags, flower vases, and fruit baskets.
Phase 1, which was held from May 7-9, focused on crafting fiber scrunch bags using bunot (coconut husk), while Phase 2, conducted from June 18-20, focused on the production of coconut frond and by-products handicrafts made from palwa (coconut midrib).
Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) provincial coordinator Axl Rose E. Hara of DTI Siquijor, said that SICOFAMCO has established a Siquijor products kiosk at the Port of Siquijor.
“The finished products have been delivered to the kiosk for sale, marking the successful completion of the training and the beginning of a new market opportunity for the farmers,” she said.
Hara said that fiber scrunch bags range from P150 to P180, while the coconut frond and by-products handicrafts, which are the tray and vase, are P350 and P200, respectively.
“But ang price sa kiosk kay patungan pa to siya para sa rent, sweldo ug mark-up,” she said.
(But the prices at the kiosk will be increased because it includes rent, salary, and mark-up.)
SICOFAMCO manager Mildred Baguio, 53, from Bolos, Siquijor, Siquijor, said the training is a great help to coconut farmers.
“Maayo gyud kaayo na sya kay makatabang gyud sa mga coconut farmers ning among training sa ATI,” she said.
(Our training from the ATI is a big help to the coconut farmers.)
“Importante kaayo ng training ng sa non-food product para maimprove pa jud ang among production,” she added.
(The training on non-food product is very important to improve our production.)
Baguio hopes the training will help the cooperative members attain sustainable income in the future.
SICOFAMCO member, Porferie Ympal, 62, from Caitican, Siquijor, Siquijor, said the training expanded their knowledge and skills in coconut-based craftsmanship.
“Nakadugang pud ug kaalam, kinaadman, makahibalo mi mugama. Unsa gud uy kalibutan namo mugama ug wala pa mi ato traininga,” she said.
(We gained knowledge, skills, and learned how to create as we have no idea at all if not for the training.)
Another member of SICOFAMCO, Yvonne Uy, 35, also from Barangay Caitican, shared her learnings from the training.
“Gikan sa bunot ug palwa na ordinaryo ra gyud kaayo sya nimo tan-awon, paghuman sa finished product, makaingon ko ug ‘Hala, mao diay ni uy resulta,’ ma-amaze gyud ka sa finish product,” she said.
(From the coconut husk and midrib, it really looks quite ordinary when you see it, but after the product is finished, I could say, ‘Wow, so this is the result.’ You will really be amazed at the finished product.) (MFH/PIA7-Siquijor)
