The history began when the farmers of Palayan City formed a group as Farmers Growers in 2010. After 4 years, the establishment of the Calamansi Processing Plant in Palayan City was realized. The dedicated efforts of Palayan City LGU, Department of Trade and Industry – Nueva Ecija Provincial Office, Department of Science and Technology and the Palayan City Calamansi Growers Association helps to establish the processing plant.
The abundancy of calamansi fruits in Palayan City is recorded. Since the recording was made, the area planted with calamansi is 176.5 hectares. Barangays like Singalat, Popolon, Manacnac, Santolan, Aulo, Caballero and Marcos Village are part of it.
C-blast is the processed calamansi’s brand. It instant hit reaching as far as Pampanga in its first month of processing. Since the start of the operation, the calamansi processors are able to produce 7,477 bottles of ready to drink juice (250ml), 339 bottles of concentrated (350ml), 433 bottles of sugar-free calamansi drink (250ml), and 37 gallons of concentrate.
The market acceptance was overwhelming due to the nutritional contents and medicinal value of the product. It was served during the meetings, other functions, and school activities. The NE Pacific Trade Fare introduce the product and help the association gained more buyers. Other schools now patronize the product and teachers advised their students to take the healthy drinks instead of soft drinks.
Brief History of the Cooperator
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through a soft loan to the Palayan City LGU represented by then-Mayor Romeo V. Capinpin. Sanguniang Panlunsod helps him to transfer the ownership of the Equipment amounting to 352,000 to the PCCGA payable in the three-year period.
Former mayor Capinpin even gave an additional 375,000 to the association for their working capital. It will use to purchase kitchen utensils and payment for the 2 BFAD-approved products of Mrs. Sonia de Jesus. She was a chemist and was the former owner of the processing equipment. She eventually thought them to become processors. PCCGA used this equipment for calamansi processing.
SSF Machine
The Department of Trade and Industry – Nueva Ecija Provincial Office conducted an assessment and evaluation of PCCGA’s processing plant and came up with the identified SSF for calamansi processing.
The SSF machine is the answer to solve the problem of over-supply of calamansi fruits during peak season. The cost of picking is higher than the buying price. The machine provided by DOST through their Setup Program was not sufficient to process the harvest of the calamansi farmers. Through the SSF, PCCGA can process the stock more extracted juice for future use during the offseason.
Implementing Strategies / Mechanics
In history, the shared service facility (SSF) has added to the processing equipment and presently housed at the CDA Building, Brgy. Ganaderia, Palayan City. The organizational setup implemented taking into consideration the strength and weaknesses of the officers and members involved in the production.
The problem of growers on low buying prices of calamansi during peak season has the solution, the calamansi processing in Palayan City. During those times, they just let their calamansi fruits get overripe without harvesting it anymore because of the unattractive buying price.
Internal Control
History shows that internal control installed to prevent leakages in terms of resources. Continuous human resource development adopted with the support of the LGU and NEMSMEDC. To ensure the standard process, a food technician was hired on a retainer basis. A separate room in the building also set as the office of the PCCGA. Therefore, It helps to record transactions and prepare financial reports monthly. It serves as a basis in planning and analyzing business conditions.
PCCGA also saves time, effort and expenses on processing calamansi juice and concentrated with the aid of SSF Machine. This machine gained more markets and added sales. Their dream of penetrating not only the domestic but also the global market will soon be realized. The collaborative efforts of the PCCGA, Palayan City LGU, DTI, and other national agencies are always supportive to uplift the lives of the people.
