Twenty-five coconut farmers from the Ibona Small Coconut Farmer Multi-Purpose Cooperative successfully completed a Financial Literacy Training conducted by Agricultural Training Institute โ Central Luzon (ATI-CL) for beneficiaries of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) Shared Processing Facility (SPF) on May 18-20, 2026, at Zen Tierras Farm, Dingalan, Aurora.
The training aimed to strengthen the financial management and enterprise development capabilities of coconut farmers directly involved in the management and operation of the Shared Processing Facility. Through the activity, ATI-CL emphasized the importance of financial literacy in improving productivity, ensuring efficient resource management, and sustaining profitable agri-enterprises amid challenges in the agriculture sector.
Participants, composed of cooperative officers and SPF operators, were provided with practical knowledge and skills in financial management, bookkeeping, auditing, and business sustainability. The activity also deepened participantsโ understanding of financial planning and the responsible management of cooperative resources.
Topics discussed during the training included the current situation of the coconut industry and an overview of the CFIDP, Filipino values, the significance of financial literacy, business cycles and characteristics of successful agri-enterprises, financial recording and bookkeeping, auditing, and orientation on agri-credit programs.
Serving as resource speakers were Justine M. Abaco, Project Evaluation Officer I; Kimberly T. Miguel, Technical Support Staff IV; and Marlene G. Surla, Administrative Support Staff II, all from ATI-CL. They were joined by Christian M. Bernabe, Agriculturist, PCA - Aurora and Manilyn M. Niegos, Acting Account Officer, Landbank.
"Natutuhan po namin ang tamang pag-record ng mga gastos at kita. Asahan po ninyo i-a-apply po namin sa aming sarili at is-share rin po sa aming kasamahan," quipped Marivic R. Padua, Board of Director of Ibona Small Coconut Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative.
Through the training, participants gained valuable insights into proper financial recording, effective enterprise management, and available credit assistance programs that could help strengthen the sustainability and growth of their cooperative and agri-business operations.
Written by:ย Kimberly T. Miguel
