President Aquino visits coco water plantation in
Candelaria, Quezon
(CANDELARIA, Quezon) President Benigno S. Aquino
III visited on Monday the coconut water plantation of the Peter Paul Philippine
Corporation (PPPC) as part of his administration's goal to accelerate the
growth of the coconut industry.
Upon his arrival at the plantation located in
Barangay Pahinga Norte, the Chief Executive was welcomed by PPPC President Joey
Quimson and other PPPC officials. He was accompanied by Agriculture Secretary
Proceso Alcala, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo and Representative
Irvin Alcala of the Quezon 2nd District
The President toured the coconut water
plantation that provide the continuous supply of fresh premium coconuts year
round. The 13-hectare property is located about 100 kilometers south of the
city of Manila.
The President’s visit to the PPPC is designed to
help highlight the importance of the collaboration between the government and
the business sector in boosting the country's coconut production.
During his visit, the President was briefed on
the PPPC's operations, and an update on the collaboration between the
government, through the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade
and Industry, and the PPPC to accelerate the growth of the coconut industry.
The PPPC, likewise, briefed the President on the
various initiatives and programs aimed at improving the productivity to cope
with the rising global demand for coconut products.
The President, for his part, expressed his
administration's support for the integrated development of the coconut industry.
The government's efforts to promote coco water
exports resulted in 823 percent increase - from 1.81 million liters worth $1.84
million in 2010 to 16.75 million liters worth $15.11 million in 2011.
It also resulted in the 39.15 percent increase
in the quantity of coco coir exports from 4.43 million kilograms (net) worth
$974,586 in 2010 to 6.16 million kg (net) worth $2.01 million in 2011. At
present, the Philippines is one of the major exporters of coco water.
Meanwhile, coconut water exports from the
Philippines posted an 81-percent increase in volume for the first semester of
2012, increasing from 5.662 million liters to 10.249 million liters for the
same period in 2011.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) also
reported $11.8 million in earnings, which is a 100.54-percent increase from the
previous year’s $5.57 million. Emerging markets for coconut water consumption
accounted for almost 7 percent of export volumes.
The PPPC was established in Candelaria, Quezon
on June 29, 1946 - just a couple of days before the Philippines gained
independence from American rule.
In 1962, majority interest in the company was
sold to the Filipino group. The company has established production facilities
to produce other coconut products, such as coconut milk and cream, coconut
water, virgin coconut oil, coconut flour/fiber, copra, copra cake, coconut oil,
paring cake, paring oil, and other residual products, thus consolidating its
strengths in the creation of an integrated coconut processing plant.
Today, the PPPC operates the largest single
production facility of desiccated coconut in the world, with a rated capacity
of 22,000 metric tons per year.
Quimson said the PPPC remains committed to the
utilization of its core competencies as a premier producer of desiccated
coconut, and the enhancement of its other coconut-based products such as virgin
coconut oil, coconut flour/ fiber, coconut milk and cream and other specialty
products.
Peter Paul's products are seen in all major
markets such as North and South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and
maintains a substantial share in each of these markets. PND (js)
President Aquino assures that government's
infrastructure projects in Quezon province are now in place
GUMACA, Quezon) President Benigno S. Aquino III
assured on Monday that the government’s infrastructure projects, including the
Lucena Diversion Palau-Palau Port Road, are now in place to further expand the
agriculture, commerce and tourism industries in the province.
In his message during a meeting with local
leaders and the community held at the Gumaca National High School Covered Court
located on Bonifacio Street in Mabini here, the Chief Executive said his
administration continues to invest in the much-needed initiatives and programs
to boost the province's various industries.
"Nakahilera na po ang mga proyekto nating
pangimprastraktura na siyang magtatahi o magpapaaliwalas sa mga industriyang
pangturismo at komersyo," the President said.
"Isang halimbawa po sa mga ipinapatayo
nating daan ay ang Lucena Diversion Palau-Palau Port Road, sa byaheng Dalahican
mula at patungong Pagbilao, Palau-Palau Port 7,000 motorista po ang
makikinabang dahil magiging 20 minuto nalang ang dating 45 minutong travel
time," he stressed.
The government started working on the South
Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Extension project to reduce the travel time in Southern
Luzon, Aquino stressed.
"Ngayon palang din po nakalatag na ang
ating pangmatagalang plano sa pagpapabilis ng transportasyon dito sa Quezon
patungo sa ibang karatig na lalawigan," he said.
"Sa pamamagitan ng SLEX Extension na
magkokonekta sa inyong probinsya at sa Laguna, kasama na po ang Maharlika
Highway, oras na makumpleto po ito ang byaheng Sto. Batangas at Lucena Quezon
na ngayon ay inaabot ng apat na oras ay itinatayang magiging isang oras na
lang," he said.
Anchored on the principle of "Tuwid na
Daan," the President noted that his government was able to build on the
gains of the anti-corruption campaign and reduce poverty. He noted that the
various government programs to boost the agriculture industry resulted in the
creation of jobs for the people.
"Ang mabibiyayaan po ng mga proyektong ito
mahigit 1,100 lupain para sa mga magsasaka natin sa mga munisipalidad niyo rito
sa Quezon. Sa huli po nakatuon ang mga inisyatiba natin sa halaga at pakinabang
ng mga ito, kay Juan at Juana dela Cruz," he said.
He said the government started implementing
programs to boost the coconut industry, including the coco water trade.
He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to
effectively provide the people of various social services such as health,
education among others.
"Nariyan din po ang ating mga serbisyong
panlipunan upang masuportahan ang kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan. Sa
katunayan, ang mga benepisyaryong kabahayan pong kabilang sa ating Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program sa buong bansa mula nitong katapusan ng Pebrero ay
umabot na sa mahigit 3.8 million households ang bilang. Mahigit 91, 302 rito sa
bilang na ito ang mga pamilyang mula sa Quezon," he said.
With its beautiful beaches and hospitable
locals, Gumaca is expected to attract more tourists.
The President also called on the people of the
province to rise to the challenge of revitalization. He underscored the
importance of the collaboration between the public and private sectors towards
a productive and self-sufficient nation. PND (js)
