The Office of the Vice President (OVP) provided a livelihood grant to a farmers’ cooperative from Surigao del Sur in conjunction with its 89th Founding Anniversary.

Vice President Sara Duterte personally handed over the check to officers of the Tigao Farmers Development Cooperative (TFDC) during a ceremony on Wednesday (Nov. 20, 2024) at the OVP satellite office in Butuan City.

“The livelihood assistance is under the Magnegosyo Ta Day, an entrepreneurship program of the Office of the Vice President,” Duterte said in a media interview on the sidelines of the event.

She added that the OVP also provides burial and medical assistance to constituents in the Caraga Region.

Duterte encouraged organizations from various sectors to visit the OVP’s satellite offices to learn about the Magnegosyo Ta Day program.

The TFDC is a cooperative based in Barangay Tigao, Cortes, Surigao del Sur, with 47 active members.

Gerson Pagara, TFDC chairperson, said the PHP150,000 grant would serve as additional capital for their copra-buying operations, which have been ongoing since 2021.

“We primarily buy copra from our members and other coconut farmers in our town,” Pagara said. “This grant will help us increase our buying capacity.”

Sonia Roluna, TFDC treasurer, said the cooperative purchases 200 to 300 kilos of copra daily but faces limitations due to their capital.

“Currently, the buying price of copra in Surigao del Sur ranges from PHP45 to PHP46 per kilo, but it fluctuates,” Roluna said. She noted that an additional PHP1 per kilo is offered to members who sell copra to the cooperative.

Roluna emphasized that the TFDC would collaborate with the OVP to monitor the grant’s implementation and ensure its sustainability. (PNA)