Coconut farmers and processors in Misamis Occidental can now expand beyond traditional raw products following the launch of a P2.408-million processing facility designed to turn copra into cooking oil and create new economic opportunities for local communities.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Misamis Occidental launched the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) for Coconut Cooking Oil Processing in Tangub City on October 8, 2026.
The facility was turned over to the local government unit (LGU) of Tangub through the Misamis Occidental Coconut Farmers and Processors Association (MOCOFPA) as direct beneficiaries.
Coconut farming remains a dominant agricultural industry in the province, spanning approximately 97,631 hectares and producing an average of 41,093 metric tons of copra annually. Despite this massive supply, local processing has largely focused on traditional coconut-based products, with no established coconut cooking oil production in the province.
The new facility directly addresses this gap by supplying essential machinery to process raw copra into finished coconut cooking oil. The setup includes a white copra drying system, hammer mill, copra expeller, two settling tanks, an oil pump, filter press, deodorizer system and storage tanks.
During the launch, DTI Region 10 Regional Director Ruel Paclipan highlighted the importance of strengthening the local sector to generate sustainable economic growth.
“Kani usa ni sa pamaagi na ma-improve nato ang atong industry sector (This is one of the ways we can improve our industry sector),” Paclipan said, emphasizing that improving the industry requires products that consistently meet market standards in quality, supply volume and delivery time.
Paclipan reaffirmed DTI’s commitment to supporting the facility’s operations, pointing to its potential to boost farmer profitability and create local jobs. Through the SSF program, DTI provides micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with shared machinery and production tools to bridge technology gaps, improve efficiency and elevate the value of locally sourced agricultural resources.