SARPHIL CARP Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SACARBEMCO) was recently a recipient of the Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) enterprise sub-project last March 11, 2021 located at Monkayo, Davao de Oro.  The project turned over was worth P5.3 million. The cooperative will now have the opportunity to develop, improve and increase their rubber production. In the previous years, SACARBEMCO was already having difficulties with the fluctuating price of rubber. When Typhoon Pablo hit the province last 2012, their rubber farms were badly damaged hence, the struggle was doubled.

          The cooperative persevered from the challenges and obtained a loan from Land Bank of the Philippines. They started their rehabilitation for rubber and palm oil production. Rubber tapping and selling rubber cup lumps were the businesses undertaken by SACARBEMCO at that time. The management wanted to expand more into processing of rubber sheets to augment its income but lacked funds and resources to establish a processing facility.

          DA-PRDP was introduced to the cooperative in 2016. They were chosen as the project beneficiary for the “Village Level Rubber Processing and Marketing Enterprise” sub-project.  The cooperative received two (2) village-type rubber processing facilities with supporting equipment, one (1) unit 4-ton capacity hauling truck, and a water tank. The cooperative’s manager, Mr. Elly Morente was happy with the project. Surely, SACARBEMCO will now expect higher income, he said.  Rubber sheets have higher prices than the cup lumps. With this facility, the cooperative can now help its members produce 55 to 60 MT of rubber sheet per annum and increase its income by 5 percent per year.  The cooperative has provided more and better benefits to its 124 members. Kudos to the perseverance of SACARBEMCO and its officers.

 “Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life more meaningful.”