Coco Industrial Park Eyed in Northern Samar

The provincial government of Northern Samar is upbeat about establishing a Coconut Industrial Park in Bobon town to develop the major farm product of the province, reports the Philippine News Agency on November 29.  The proposed three- to five-hectare park will focus on processing, manufacturing, and exporting coconut-based products. The park needs 5,000 hectares of coconut plantations to support the facility’s operation, the report said.
“With continued investment efforts and strategic planning, the Coconut Industrial Park in Northern Samar promises to be a landmark project that will not only boost the province’s coconut industry but also transform the province into a model for sustainable economic development,” Jhon Allen Berbon, head of the provincial economic development and investment promotions office, said in a phone interview.
A group of potential investors were given a tour of the future industrial park by the provincial government.  They were also shown the ports of San Jose and Allen, which are key logistical hubs for transporting coconut products. In addition, the delegation visited the towns of Mondragon, Pambujan, and Catubig where they met with local coconut farmers to gather insights and feedback on the potential impact of the industrial park.
Northern Samar is the 18th largest producer of coconut in the Philippines, with a yield of 315,000 metric tons in 2023, according to the Philippine Coconut Authority.  However, despite its substantial coconut production, the province faces limited competition with only one oil mill, one coco-sugar producer, two virgin coconut oil producers, and three coco coir producers, according to Berbon.  The province has 86,000 registered coconut farmers, including landowners, workers, and tenants.