GINGOOG City stands to enhance its cacao production with the establishment of new chocolate processing facilities.
City Councilor Roy Aniscal, Chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod's (SP) Committee on Agriculture, confirmed that these facilities are expected to encourage farmers to cultivate more cacao, not only within the city but also in neighboring towns such as Magsaysay and Medina in eastern Misamis Oriental.
Aniscal explained that the chocolate processing plant was a long-held vision of Governor Peter Unabia, who previously served as the city's Vice Mayor.
He stated, "Governor Unabia's desire to build a chocolate factory has now come true, and it will greatly benefit the poor."
On Monday, July 29, the August Body re-appropriated P15 million for the chocolate processing plant project.
This allocation includes P5 million for chocolate processing equipment, P2 million for transformers, generators, and electrical sets for the chocolate building and agri complex, and P1 million for the Centralized Production Facility and Machinery Support Phase II of the chocolate processing plant.
ABC President and Provincial Board Member Robert de Lara expressed his support for the project, noting that it will benefit farmers across the province.
De Lara, who is from Gingoog City and previously served as Barangay Chairman of Barangay 5, urged farmers to support the initiative by planting cacao.
He emphasized the province's potential for cacao plantations, highlighting that many areas are suitable for cultivation.
Medina Town Administrator Ariel Anghay acknowledged that there are currently no cacao plantations in the town.
However, he expressed confidence that the establishment of the chocolate factory in Gingoog will encourage farmers in Medina to engage in cacao farming in the near future.
Provincial Board Member Rey Buhisan, Chairman of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan's Committee on Agriculture, emphasized that the chocolate factory will inspire residents to plant cacao on their land.
He urged the local government of Gingoog City, led by Mayor Erick Cañosa, to collaborate with private investors through joint ventures to ensure the sustainability of the project, particularly in marketing.
