ICC Dispatch - Thursday, December 18, 2008

PGMA surprise visit amazed vendors

ICC Cotabato City (18 December) - People of Cotabato City and nearby areas were surprised to the unannounced visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday, Dec. 17.

President Arroyo was met at the Awang by military, PNP, and civilian officials led by 6th Infantry Division Commanding General Raymundo Ferrer and Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin upon her arrival at 9:00 AM.

From the airport President Arroyo and her party motored to Cotabato City and proceeded to the City Mega Market. The President was delighted to see the cheap prices of rice and other basic commodities sold at the Mega Market where she was also met by surprised vendors who couldn’t believe to see their President in person.

“Ang ganda ni Presidente, hindi ko akalain na Makita ko siya nang personal at dalawin kaming mga mahihirap na vendors ditto,” Aminah, an ambulant vendor exclaimed as she got to see the President up close.

As the President and her convoy toured the main hub of city, she was also amazed to see the proliferation of big buildings and business establishments in downtown Cotabato City.

To her delight, President Arroyo urged the Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema as well as other city official to make Cotabato into industrialized city.

The President’s surprise visit it was learned, was in fulfillment to her promise earlier made that she will her visit to the city despite her hectic schedule. (CLC/PIA Cotabato City)


PGMA gives recognition to a “backyard business” that has grown into a multi-million enterprise

ILIGAN CITY – President Gloria Macagagal-Arroyo will be the guest of honor at the inauguration on Friday of Green Gold Gourmet Corporation's (GGGC) food processing plant here that was constructed to address the growing demand for the company's unique and innovative food products.

The President will join local government officials and members of the business community in cutting the ribbon formally opening the GGGC's food processing plant in Barangay Puga-an, this province.

Completed in October 2008, the 1,184-sq.m. factory building that sits on a 4,292-sq. m. lot can produce 10,000 bottles of Suka Pinakurat a day, more than double the capacity of the original GGGC plant in Pala-o, also in Iligan City.

The GGGC produces three kinds of Suka Pinakurat – the sweet vinegar with soy sauce called Kuratsoy, the hot spicy vinegar called Way Kurat, and the chilli garlic sauce Chigar. The company also produces garlic chips and shrimp paste (Naprik bagoong).

The GGGC products are sold in key cities of Davao, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and other areas of Mindanao and Visayas. Distribution centers in Metro Manila and in some areas in Luzon have also been established.

GGGC's products have long been a favourite "padala" for Filipinos with relatives abroad. Recently, export consolidators have made GGGC products available in some Filipino stores in the United States, Canada and Australia.

GGGC -- a 100-percent Filipino-owned family business -- is the brainchild of Rene del Rosario, the inventor of "Suka Pinakurat," a spicy vinegar made from pure fermented coconut nectar and spices that are native to the farmlands of Iligan.

Started in 2000 as a "backyard business" of the del Rosarios in their residence in Pala-o, Iligan City, GGGC has grown into a multi-million-peso business of a hardworking Filipino family that believes in President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s advocacy of providing livelihood and job opportunities for the people.

As of today, GGGC employs close to 200 residents of Puga-an and nearby barangays who work for the company as “managguetes” (gatherers of sap from coconut or palm trees), spice and chili farmers, and junk bottle and carton box gatherers.