PRDP 10 opens P11M cacao facility in Kadingilan town

KADINGILAN, Bukidnon (PIA)—A full-functioning cacao facility is ready to serve Bukidnons as the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10) turns over the machinery to the Balaoro Farmers Association (BAFA) on November 18, here.

The project is in support of the Cacao Processing and Marketing sub-project with a total project cost of P10,905,947.82 comprising a roasting machine, a crusher machine, and a storing machine. 

Carlene C. Collado, DA-10 regional executive director and RPCO (Regional Project Coordination Office) project director, congratulated the stakeholders for achieving the remarkable feat. 

He said that the facility will encourage farmers to plant more cacao, produce more quality cacao beans, and boost the ‘Tablea’ and chocolate production in the province. 

Carlota Madriaga, DA-10 regional technical director for operations, expressed her joy to see the organization’s achievement. 

“I am proud to have witnessed the progress of this project from its groundbreaking to its completion. We are now reaping the fruit of the association's, province's, and PRDP team's hard work,” she said.

As part of the movement to empower women, Madriaga also lauded the association for creating job opportunities, particularly for women.

“It is heartwarming to see women producing Tablea from their labor and earning a living for their families,” she added. 

To stay competitive, Madriaga also challenged the farmers to expand their market not only within Bukidnon but also globally.

Kadingilan town Mayor Jerry Agustin Canoy Jr. thanked the home-grown farmers for instilling pride.

"We got this far because of our hard work. Kadingilan is already known for its Tablea. We hope that with this project, BAFA can make a name for itself throughout the Philippines," he said.

In his acceptance message, BAFA chairman Clemente M. Bañados thanked the stakeholders and promised to prioritize the expansion of their association. 

Addressing his fellow members, he reminded them to be selfless and to think of the future generation. 

“I am grateful to the government for recognizing our potential and for including us in the priority list to receive government interventions. Let us continue to work harder to reach that goal,” Bañados said.

It can be recalled that the association has already received from PRDP a processing center and a hauling truck, both of which were delivered in 2021.

Starting with only 5 members in 1993, BAFA has grown to 56 farmer members and is now linked to eligible buyers and markets across the country.

This project was also implemented under the supervision of the provincial government of Bukidnon. (DA-10/PIA 10-Bukidnon)

A full-functioning cacao facility is ready to serve Bukidnons as the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project 10 turns over the machinery to the Balaoro Farmers Association (BAFA) on November 18, here. (DA-10)