DAR pushes multi-processing plant transfer

06/03/2007

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is pushing the transfer of the Calauag, Quezon Coconut Multi-processing plant under its management through its Agri-Business Entrepreneurship Development Program to finally jumpstart its operation.

“We would like to put into good use the said processing plant owing to the high demand for coconut by-products such as geotextile. We want the farmer-beneficiaries to have active participation in its operation.” Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Jeffrey Galan for Finance, Management and Administration said.

The P30-million project was proposed by Jose Cojuangco Jr. when he was the head of the National Council on Food Security and Job Creation (NCFSJC) and endorsed by then Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin to PARC. The processing plant was constructed complete with equipment. But Cojuangco later requested for additional P12-M to cover the funding gap for the construction of the project due to price escalation.

The DAR asked for the audited report of the project for evaluation before it would release any additional fund. But the NCFSJC has yet to submit it. Since then, the project was inoperative.

Galan added the DAR is continuously working the CARP implementing agencies to ensure that the construction and implementation of infrastructure projects will be in accordance with the approved program of works and within the authorized budget.

“We will never allow sub-standard construction of these projects. We have a secretariat at the field to monitor these big-budgeted endeavors. Any notion of irregularity will be subjected to investigation,” he said.

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