BPI Foundation supports Negros coop

THE Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation Inc. (BPIF) is supporting a Negros-based cooperative in expanding its agribusiness ventures.

Anileen Pajarillo, implementer of the Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) Community Program of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) office in Negros, said the Quezon Codcod RiceBIS Farmers’ Cooperative (QueCoRiFACo) has received a truck and rice mill as part of BPIF’s P5.2-million support for the cooperative.

“QueCoRiFACo currently comprises five associations with plans to expand their reach across 415 hectares, benefiting over 300 farmers. To prepare for this expansion, cooperative members have undergone training in capacity enhancement, packaging and labeling, and good agricultural practices (PhilGAP). Soon, their farms will undergo assessment and certification by PhilGAP,” she said.

For his part, QueCoRiFACo Chairman Hernan Samson expressed gratitude for the grant, emphasizing its role in reinforcing their commitment to fellow farmers.

“As farmers, we support each other, especially given our resource constraints. With this grant, we can fulfill our duty as stewards of our members and communities,” he said.

Leo Sta. Ines, PhilRice officer in charge director, said QueCoRiFACo is the only farmers group in the Visayas chosen by BPIF as its beneficiary along with two other farmers cooperatives from Luzon and Mindanao.

Sta. Ines said the cooperative based in Barangay Quezon, San Carlos City, qualified because they have “a strong organization and goal to improve not just as farmers but also improve the lives of their members.”

The turnover and blessing ceremony was held in Quezon Multipurpose Gym in San Carlos City with BPIF Executive Director Ma. Carmina Marquez, BPIF officers and PhilRice Deputy Executive Director for Development Karen Eloisa Barroga.