(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNEMNT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)
TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Northern Samar has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with private firm Island Fun for the establishment of a Coconut Industrial Park, a landmark project aimed at modernizing the province’s coconut industry.
The MOU was signed by Governor Edwin Ongchuan and Island Fun CEO Stephen Chen during the Abaca and Coconut Farmers Summit on May 18, 2025, held at the Ibabao Hall of the provincial capitol in Catarman.
The signing was witnessed by Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Usec. Arnold Atienza of PhilFIDA, DA-8 Regional Executive Director Andrew Orais, Northern Samar 1st District Representative Paul Daza, Provincial Agriculturist Jose Luis Acompañado, and Engr. Reynato Dubongco of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Northern Samar.
The project aims to shift Northern Samar’s coconut sector from raw production to advanced, value-added processing, turning the province into a competitive player in both domestic and international markets.
The 3.5-hectare coconut industrial park, to be built in Barangay San Isidro, Bobon, will have the capacity to process up to 300,000 coconuts daily. The facility will integrate various stages of production—extracting, manufacturing, and packaging a range of high-value coconut-based products for export.
The first phase of development includes a P200 million investment for the construction of core infrastructure, recruitment of skilled workers, and commencement of operations. This marks the beginning of a P700 million total investment for the full implementation of the industrial park.
According to the PCA, Northern Samar ranked 18th among the country’s top coconut-producing provinces, with 315,000 metric tons harvested in 2023. The province is home to around 86,000 registered coconut farmers, including landowners, farm workers, and tenants.
Despite this output, local value-added processing remains minimal. The province currently has only one oil mill, one coco sugar producer, two virgin coconut oil manufacturers, and three coco coir producers—highlighting the need for integrated industrial development to stimulate rural income and industry growth.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
