From military base to a cooperative-run exporting plant.
This was
the former headquarters of the Army’s 1st Special Forces Battalion in Barangay
Danglagan, Padre Burgos in Quezon province.
The former military camp was converted into a plant of the Pederasyon ng Magsasaka at Mangingisda sa Bayan ng Padre Burgos (PMMBPB), which is engaged in the manufacture of various coconut products.
Chris Ferrer, one of the founding leaders of PMMBPB, said that the federation has a total of 798 employees composed of 750 twiners, 20 weavers and 28 in charge of the research and production.
Among the federation’s products are coco peat, fresh coir dust, mixed fiber, coco twine ropes, mattress fiber and Coco Geo nets.
Currently, Ferrer said that the PMMBPB is exploring export markets in Dubai, Korea, China, United States of America and Europe.
“We have gone a long way after converting this military camp into a manufacturing plant,” said Ferrer.
Bob Villena, owner of the lot where the PMMBPB sits, recalled how local residents of Barangay Danglagan and adjacent villages embraced the 1st SF Battalion troops who were always in support of the populace especially during calamities.
“They (1st SF Battalion troops) did not only provide security, they were our partners in the local community,” declared Villena.
“There was even a time when the 1st SF Battalion dismantled its garage for armored personnel carrier to provide materials for the construction of makeshift classrooms after a school was destroyed by typhoon,” he added.
As tribute to the 1st SF Battalion, the PMMPB has maintained the symbol of the
Army unit at the compound.
After its stint in Padre Burgos, the 1st SF Battalion was transferred to
Candelaria also in Quezon province before moving to Leyte
then at its present location in Bukidnon province.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/military-base-in-quezon-converted-into-coop-plant
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