By: Julio Aldyn P. Valdevilla
GINGOOG CITY, Misamis Oriental — In a landmark moment for local entrepreneurship and community empowerment, the Department of Trade and Industry Misamis Oriental officially turned over a ₱3-million Shared Service Facility and executed a usufruct agreement with five Lawi producers and broom makers associations during the weekly Monday convocation ceremony at the City Hall Grounds today, October 26, 2026.
The comprehensive ₱3-million equipment turnover equips local grass processing facilities with modern machinery and post-harvest tools, comprising five sets of biomass dryers, five tiger grass depollinators, twelve sets of multi-tier drying racks, two sets of band saw machines, and one set of rod milling machine spread across six designated operational areas. Under the agreement, these state-of-the-art facilities will be housed in 5 different locations namely Hindangon Hugpong Multi-sectoral Association, Hindangon Tiger Grass Women’s Association, Bal-ason Lawi Planters Association, Dinawehan Lawi Planters and Broom Makers Association, and Hindangon United Farmers Association. To maximize operational efficiency, output quality, and supply chain strength, all five associations will be consolidated under their strategic partner cooperative, the Alayon Multipurpose Cooperative.
The formal usufruct agreement and turnover were officially executed by City Mayor Erick G. Cañosa, DTI Misamis Oriental Provincial Director Ms. Jesusa M. Abear, and Ms. Lindy P. Valdevilla, REA, MPA, the City Investment Promotion Officer and Acting Cooperative Development Officer. The momentous signing was witnessed by the presidents of all five beneficiary associations and representatives from the partner cooperative. The gathering was further honored by the presence of Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management Assistant Regional Director Eunice Villamor and Cooperative Development Authority Supervising Cooperatives Development Specialist Nezar Pangalian.
Adding to the excitement of the turnover was an inspiring video message from DTI Undersecretary Mary Jean Pacheco,who highlighted the soaring market reach and unprecedented commercial success of Gingoog’s signature products. USec Pacheco revealed that market demand for Gingoog Lawi Brooms has surged from an initial 5,000 orders to an astounding 15,000—a dramatic three-fold increase. Armed with enhanced processing power and centralized coordination, local broom makers are now positioned to fulfill this surging global demand under the One Town, One Product program, creating sustainable local jobs and propelling economic development across the region.
