Philippine Coconut Authority Regional Manager Joel Pilapil said Friday the PHP12-million building that will house PHP36-million worth of tufting machines will be commissioned and inaugurated before the end of the year.
“The machines and equipment from India are already available and
will be assembled soon to produce mats and carpets made up of coconut husks,”
Pilapil said in a mobile phone interview.
The plant, located in Inayupan village in Javier, is capable of
processing 60,000 coconut husks into mats for local users and carpets for
shipment abroad. The husk is considered by many farmers as waste after removing
it from harvested nuts.
The town, according to Pilapil, is capable of supplying the 20,000
pieces required for each production cycle. The remaining 40,000 husks will be
sourced from nearby towns.
“The trend in industrialized countries to use more
environment-friendly products has given rise to growing demands for natural
fibers, such as the coconut coir,” he added.
Coir, the fibrous husk of the coconut, is used as ropes and yarns,
aquarium filters, car seat covers, flower pots, soundproofing, mulch for plant
growing, heat insulation, brushes, bristles, mattresses, door mats and matting,
rugs, carpets.
The project is in partnership with the local government unit of
Javier, led by Mayor Leonardo Javier, owner of Andok’s Corp., who has been
negotiating with buyers abroad.
Javier, a fourth-class farming town, 73 km. south of Tacloban
City, is known for its coconut, rice, abaca, and ginger. (SQM/PNA)
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