AGRI WATCH

Food processing plant benefitting farmers
DIONISIO S. BULONG

VIGAN CITY – Even as the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) has begun commercial production of tobacco dust for fish farms in three towns in Region III as pilot areas that are expected to yield “safe bangus and tilapia stocks” it has taken another role in food products.

Last year, then Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson turned over to NTA the management and operation of the province-owned PGMA-Multiline Food Processing Plant.

The plant located in Mabilbila Sur, Santa, Ilocos Sur was built upon the initiative of Singson on 1996. He said the plant would provide a middlemen-free scheme through which Ilocos Farmers would earn more for their produce that the establishment would buy from them.

The Multiline Plant also benefits consumers who buy its fresh, processed food products comparatively cheap, affordable prices. At present, some 35, 000 registered tobacco farmers are the beneficiaries of this latest endeavor of the NTA which marked its 20th anniversary on July 24. The farmers supply the plant with hogs and other raw materials.

Administrator Carlitos S. Encarnacion says the food production program, like the dust and pulp projects, creates job and income opportunities in line with President Arroyo’s 10-point agenda.

When NTA began full blast operation of the plant in October lastyear, then Gov. Singson told then incoming Agriculture Secretary and North Luzon Super Region Champion Arthur Yap that he had rejected an earlier offer by a big private food-making firm top lease Multiline. Yap was the guest of honor at the event.

“My purpose in establishing the plant would have been defeated if I accepted the proposal. The province would have easily earned good money from the lease of Multiline, but both the farmer-suppliers and the consumer patrons of Multiline products would be at the losing end,” said the governor who ended his three-term rule last June 30.

Vigan’s famous pork delicacies “longganisa” and “bagnet” are Multiline’s marquee products.

Its other products are “embotido,” luncheon meat, cracklings (Chicharon), choice pork and chicken nuts, dressed chicken, banana chips and fresh vegetables. Production volumes have been steady and substantial and are enough to supply outlets and distribution points in the Ilocos Region and Metro Manila.

In the metropolis, packs of pork called Pork-In-a-Box carrying the Multiline brand are popular in barangay food terminals, while ‘bagnet” and longganisa enjoy high demand at the PGMA –MFPP outlet on the ground floor of the NTA building at the corner of Scout Reyes St. and Panay Ave., Quezon City.

At present, the NTA administrator who is also PGMA-MFPP chief executive officer, is eyeing the export market. The prospects are bright for the succulent longgansia especially in Hawaii where there are large Filipino communities.

Last month, President Arroyo, in whose name the plant was rechristened in June last year, visited Multiline, and based on news reports she came out impressed after a tour of the plant complex.

Her visit to the plant coincided with the celebration of the 66th birthday of Gov. Singson at Baluarte Hills, Vigan City which she also graced.

Tobacco farmers have been contracted by NTA to raise hogs and chicken and grow vegetables and bananas. The agency provides the farmers with piglets, broilers, feeds, veterinary services and medicines, as well as vegetables seeds and banana saplings.