After months of discussion and coordination, the first ever Coco Pallet Factory in the country will finally be a reality with the recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental, Netherlands-based CocoPallet International and FICCO last February 8, 2022 inside the Misamis Oriental Provincial Agriculture and Development Complex (MOPADC) in the Municipality of Claveria.
The Dutch firm will be putting up an eco-friendly coco pallets manufacturing facility inside the said complex using coconut husks from five hubs to be established in the towns of Balingasag, Jasaan, Claveria, Villanueva and Tagoloan.
Provincial Board Member and Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Food Security Hon. Frederick Y. Khu, CocoPallet International Chief Commercial Officer for Asia Pacific Mr. Kiel Flores, and First Community Cooperative (FICCO) Foundation Chief Executive Officer si Mr. Edgardo A. Micayabas signed the document with Governor Yevgeny Vincente “Bambi” Emano also signing via virtual platform.
Meanwhile, CocoPallet International Founder and Chief Technology Officer Mr. Michael Vos., Chief Finance Officer Mr. Jochem Int ‘T Velt and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Wiebe Van Terwisga also joined the event via virtual platform.
Mr. Flores said this will be the firm’s first global factory and they wanted to start it here in the Philippines. He cited the assistance and support provided by the Provincial Government through its agriculture office to start up the first Coco pallet factory.
photos from MisOr PIO