President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the national government’s ongoing initiatives to enhance agricultural output and eliminate unnecessary middlemen by deepening ties among government agencies, local government units, and agricultural cooperatives.
During a site visit to the Batangas Egg Producers Multipurpose Cooperative (BEPCO) on Thursday, August 27, the President pointed to the facility as a prime benchmark for agency collaboration and sustainable, tech-driven farming practices.
He commended BEPCO’s adoption of circular economy models that minimize operational waste while maximizing farm productivity.
“So not only this is an example of what can be done when many agencies of government are working together, working hand in hand but also when we develop a proper technology, how we can in fact put up what is referred to as a circular business,” Marcos said.
“In other words, walang tinatapon. And that is again something very important because it’s good for the environment and equally important the value added that comes from the processing,” he added.
Marcos noted that inter-agency support has directly upgraded local egg processing techniques. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provided specialized research to develop long-life egg products, extending shelf life from several weeks up to a full year when properly frozen.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) assisted with modern machinery and established efficient collection networks.
“Pagkain ito kaya’t dapat maselan tayo sa mga standards natin at nakikita naman natin, walang nasaayang dito, walang itinatapon,” Marcos stressed.
“Lahat ng value added sa itlog ay hindi na itlog lang ang pinagbibili kung hindi ang iba’t ibang produkto, ang value added na iiwan dito,” he added.
According to the President, the BEPCO project proves the viability of connecting farmers directly to consumers, cutting out intermediaries to improve earnings for producers.
He confirmed that while the project is currently in its pilot stage, expansion plans are already underway with new machinery set to be installed to scale up output.
“And ito ang magandang halimbawa na kapag talagang nagtutulungan ang lahat ng mga ahensya ng pamahalaan, ng national government, ng local government at sa ating mga kooperatiba at mga producers ay makikita natin napakaganda magiging resulta,” Marcos stated.
“Ito’y nagsisimula pa lang at ipinagmamalaki nga sa ating ng presidente dito na pilot pa lang ito at nandiyan na ang mga bagong mankinarya at i-install na nila para mas dumami pa ang kanilang production,” he noted.