PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The Pinya Calamansi and Vegetable Farmers Association of Barangay Cabigaan, Aborlan, has officially secured a direct supply deal with the Capitol Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CEMPC), a landmark market linkage that promises stable income and eliminates costly middlemen. The agreement, facilitated by the provincial government’s Livelihood Project Management Unit (LPMU), opens a reliable institutional market right at the seat of provincial governance.
A Direct Path from Farm to Office
The partnership allows the farmers association to regularly supply its freshly produced calamansi juice directly to CEMPC, which serves the needs of Capitol employees. Program Manager Roque Dela Peña of LPMU spearheaded the initiative, bringing together CEMPC Manager Jason Tabang and the farmers’ group to finalize the arrangement. The deal provides the association with a guaranteed buyer, shielding them from fluctuating market prices and unsold inventory.
PPGEA Chairman Elino Mondragon witnessed the agreement, along with Board Member Rafael V. Ortega Jr., who expressed full support for initiatives that expand local product markets. Their presence underscored the provincial government’s commitment to empowering grassroots producers. The linkage transforms a simple beverage into a sustainable livelihood, keeping income within the local economy.
Empowering Farmers Through #KANEGOSYOPA
The market linkage is a direct outcome of the #KANEGOSYOPA (Kagamitang Negosyong Pangkabuhayan) program, a flagship livelihood initiative under LPMU. The program focuses on equipping local associations with the tools, training, and market connections needed to turn small enterprises into reliable income sources. For the Aborlan calamansi farmers, it means their product now reaches a captive market without the traditional layers of distributors.
By bypassing middlemen, the association retains a larger share of the profit. The partnership also sets a replicable model for other farmer groups in the province seeking stable institutional buyers. LPMU aims to scale similar linkages across various products, strengthening the local supply chain and fostering community-based economic growth.
From Fruit to Opportunity
The Pinya Calamansi and Vegetable Farmers Association members had long faced the challenge of inconsistent buyers and price volatility. With the CEMPC deal, they can now plan their harvests and production schedules with confidence. The cooperative will feature the calamansi juice in its retail offerings, providing a consistent outlet for the farmers’ hard work.
Beyond immediate income, the linkage builds the association’s credibility, potentially opening doors to other institutional clients in the future. The farmers are also gaining valuable experience in quality control and business negotiation. This human capital development is as vital as the revenue itself.
A Model for Local Economic Resilience
The collaboration between LPMU, CEMPC, and the farmers association demonstrates how government can serve as an economic bridge rather than just a regulator. By connecting local producers with captive markets within its own institutions, the provincial government ensures that public spending circulates within the local community.
Board Member Ortega noted that such initiatives align with the broader vision of a self-reliant Palawan. When government offices choose local products, they model the behavior they wish to see across the private sector. The calamansi juice deal is a small but powerful example of how policy can translate into tangible improvements in rural livelihoods.
