Twenty-one officers, members, and processors from the Sta. Cruz Multi-Purpose Cooperative attended the Training on Coconut Products and By-products: Coconut Oil Processing Facility Operations and Management (Phase I Social Preparation) at Smile Integrated Agricultural Learning Center, Sta. Cruz, Pamplona, Cagayan on August 28-30, 2024.

The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 02 (ATI-RTC 02) conducted the training in support to the Social Protection Program under  Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). It aimed to capacitate the coconut farmer-beneficiaries on the operation and management of the Shared Processing Facility (SPF) such as the coconut oil processing facility.

Ms. Lucila G. Guillermo, said that she gained new skills and knowledge on the training. She also added that passion and interest uplift the operations of an organization. “Gaining new skills, knowledge, understanding and values with education, helping someone or a group of others to learn, keep developing passions and interests to uplift the operations and management of an organization,” she said.

Mr. Jarrel Oting from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) introduced the facility, and discussed its purpose, and production projections. Ms. Maricris Galinggana of the Department of Trade in Industry (DTI) spoke about the topics on Business Ethics and Areas Functions of Managerial. In addition, Ms. Aileen C. Gonzales from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) shared about the importance of good manufacturing practices and safety operations principle in preparation of their operational structure. Meanwhile, the Training Management Team of the ATI-RTC 02 provided social preparation workshops and discussion like values reorientation and transformational leadership.

It is vital that the operators and management team of the SPF equipped with knowledge, skills, changed attitude as their social preparation which will enable them to perform the task of operating their facilities and business enterprises more effectively and efficiently. 

The Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) was crafted and developed in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 11524 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act (CFITFA) to attain increased incomes for coconut farmers, alleviate poverty, and achieve social equality.