Oriental Mindoro's calamansi industry saw a major milestone with the opening of a new processing plant that will position the province as a major producer in the nation.
A group of processors of calamansi (Philippine limes) will relocate to a new facility in Barangay Pakyas, Victoria town, according to the Provincial Information Office (PIO), making it the central facility for calamansi production.
The Pakyas Association of Rural Improvement Club (PARIC) commenced production in the first week of May.
Oriental Mindoro as Calamansi King
Governor Dolor has expressed his desire to establish Oriental Mindoro as the nation's "Calamansi King," a center for producing high-end goods made from Philippine lime.
Essential to this idea is the production of fruit juice concentrates from calamansi, the specialty of PARIC, the cooperative housed in the new facility.
The Climate Change Commission, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Business of Social Progress, and the provincial government provided support for its construction, although the Korea International Cooperation Agency and Global Green Growth Institute provided the majority of the funding.
Korean support
The PARIC cooperative received a grant of PHP10 million for the facility, as the Korean ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa attended the inauguration ceremonies.
Meanwhile, Governor Humerlito Dolor expressed appreciation for the South Korean government's ongoing support of the province's agricultural development initiatives.
"We will continue to pursue these projects with the solid support of our close friend, the Korean government," Governor Dolor said.
