PGMA TO INAUGURATE LEGOIL IN ALBAY,
COASTAL ROAD IN CAMSUR

LEGAZPI CITY — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will lead Thursday (August 13) the inauguration of the upgraded and modern facilities of the Legazpi Oil (LegOil) Company, Inc. coconut-processing plant in barangay Arimbay here.

President Arroyo will lead the ribbon cutting ceremony at the plant’s administration building, followed by the ceremonial switch-on in synch with the start of the mechanical dumping process of delivered copra to the plant warehouse.

The President will be assisted by LegOil chair Josefa Aquino, CIIF president and CEO Jesus Arranza, Albay governor Joey Salceda and Legazpi City mayor Noel Rosal.

The processing facilities for oil milling and solvent extraction were refurbished and commenced operation this year contributing some 300 metric ton daily (MTD) crushing capacity, 100 MTD for refining, and 100 MTD for deodorizing.

LegOil also houses copra and pellet warehouses, crude coconut oil, edible oil storage tanks, edible oil tanks, loading facilities for processed oil and a pier/wharf.

Product lines include crude coconut for domestic and export market, fully refined oil, copra cake and Minola products.

LegOil facility is strategically situated where it can service the tolling requirements of various coconut producers, farmers’ cooperative and groups, from the provinces of Sorsogon, Camarines Sur and Norte, and the island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate.

Earlier this year, the government through the assistance of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the Philippine Commission on Good Government (PCGG) has infused some P100 million funds for the rehabilitation and setting up of modern facility,

It can be recalled that LegOil had stopped operation almost three years ago due to heavy damages in its facilities following the two super typhoons Milenyo and Reming.

The establishment and modernization of the LegOil here would definitely boost Bicol’s production of crude coconut oil and by products for domestic and export market.

Prior to her sorties here, the President will also lead the inspection of the on-going construction of the Presentacion-Caramoan coastal road in the province of Camarines Sur.

The road network costs some P329.5 million and stretches a total of 24.417 kilometers traversing through six barangays in Presentacion town and four in Caramoan.

The completion of the road network could open new income opportunities and support the socio-economic development of the localities and serves as an access of the Roll-On-Roll-Off (RORO) from Caramoan to the island province of Catanduanes. (MALoterte, PIA V)