Empowering farmers: New copra and coconut warehouse to boost livelihoods in Padre Burgos

Padre Burgos, Quezon  – In the hills of Sitio Bundok, Barangay Walay, stands the Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish. Below its gates, passers-by can see the large iconic sculpture of the “Saint of the Impossible”. Facing the church is a vast expanse of mountainous terrain, abundant with coconuts — known as the tree of life — which provide livelihood for many residents in Padre Burgos. 

Beside the church is the Sta. Rita Agriculture Cooperative (SRAC), a relatively young organization involved in nuts trading, copra processing, and lending. Most of its members are local coconut farmers who sought support from the parish to enhance their livelihood and boost their incomes. 

Under the guidance of Fr. Jayson Oriasel, the parish priest and SRAC chair, the cooperative grew from just 19  to over 100 members. Its coconut and copra trading business has flourished, attracting the support of various institutions eager to assist the farmers. 

However, despite this growth, SRAC has faced challenges in storing and delivering its products. Their current facility is inadequate to handle larger volumes of coconuts and copra. To scale up and remain competitive, the cooperative urgently needs a bigger warehouse to improve storage capacity. 

With funding support from the Angelo King Foundation (AKFI) and technical assistance from the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), a larger coconut and copra warehouse is set to rise in Padre Burgos, making a step forward in ensuring the sustainability and resilience of SRAC’s operations. 

Collaborative efforts

AKFI, a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to building self-reliant and productive communities, has long supported infrastructure projects, including school buildings and multipurpose facilities nationwide. 

To better address the needs of communities like Padre Burgos, AKFI Chair Ernesto Garilao collaborated with PEF’s Executive Director Roberto Calingo. Together, they visited Padre Burgos in April 2024 to meet with SRAC representatives and assess how best to support the cooperative’s operations.

At that time, PEF was already assisting SRAC with cooperative development training and business development planning through the Quezon Federation Union of Cooperatives (QFUC). During these sessions, the need for a bigger warehouse was identified as a key factor in increasing the cooperative’s capacity and improving its income potential.

In July 2024, AKFI approved Php 1.35 million in funding for the warehouse construction. SRAC contributed Php 340,000 for purchasing the land where the warehouse will be built, while PEF provided Php 693,830 for training, project development, monitoring, and evaluation. 

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on August 14, 2024, attended by Padre Burgos Mayor Rav Uy Diokno, representatives from QFUC and PEF, and the SRAC Board of Trustees, management, and staff.  

The new warehouse is expected to be completed within the year. Once operational, SRAC will be able to supply coconuts to QFUC’s virgin coconut oil processing facility and other markets at more competitive prices. 

The cooperative’s rapid growth is a testament to the dedication of its members, demonstrating that with faith and perseverance, even the most impossible goals can be achieved.

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