The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) set up the Shared Service Facility (SSF) for Cacao Processing to Lorma Community Development Foundation Inc. (LCDFI) on February 15, 2019 in Mabanengbeng 2, Bacnotan, La Union. The project aims to address the processing and manufacturing gaps and bottlenecks in the cacao industry value chain. Equipment provided are stainless fermentation box, roasting machine, grinding machine stainless food grade table, chiller-freezer and others amounting to P900,000.

The provision of efficient facilities will allow processors to produce quality beans adhering to good manufacturing practices, increase production of fermented beans, as well as other cacao products at fairly competitive prices in the market. Furthermore, the project will provide access and opportunities to improve production process to other micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who are venturing into cacao processing within the neighboring municipalities.

DTI-Region 1 Officer-in-Charge-Regional Director Mingaracal encouraged the cacao stakeholders to maximize the use of the SSF. She also appeals for the continuous collaborative efforts from the local government unit (LGU), cooperative members and the community especially that Bacnotan is now “sweeter” with the coming of the SSF on Cacao Processing. Bacnotan is known for its honey as their One Town One Product (OTOP).

Bacnotan Mayor Francisco Fontanilla also expressed his utmost support for the project. He acknowledged the potentials of the cacao industry and included it as one of their municipalities priority industry clusters.

The SSF Project is one of DTI’s banner programs with the ultimate goal of helping and alleviating the existing condition of our MSMEs by making livelihood more productive.♦

Date of Release: 18 February 2019