DAVAO CITY -- Coconut farmers from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) should set their sights on foreign markets as the autonomous region now has broad powers to conduct foreign trade.
This was according to Sec. Emmanuel Piñol of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), who said the agency is willing to explore the potentials of BARMM coconut growers exporting mature and green coconuts in the global market.
"I asked the legal experts last week to study the extent of the powers of the BARMM in relation to promoting the welfare of its agriculture stakeholders," Piñol said in a Facebook post Wednesday.
According to the MinDa chief, BARMM has the authority to export agricultural products based on the powers vested into the autonomous government by Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Piñol, who is also the government's focal person for BARMM, said he will present the idea to BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim Murad "very soon."
He said he would present to Murad "the idea of helping the coconut farmers of the Bangsamoro Region by asking the parliament to enact a measure which would specifically allow the export of mature and green coconuts."
He pointed out that Presidential Decree 1106 series 1985 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos restricted the export of mature coconuts due to fears that other countries would use the genetic materials of Philippine coconuts.
He said the restriction is outdated given the technology and research and development that other countries have pursued over the years.
He also noted that while farmers cannot export coconuts, they suffered due to low copra prices resulting from the entry of alternative cooking oil.
"A legislative enactment of the BARMM parliament can open opportunities for export of mature and green coconuts which are demanded in the US, China, and the Middle East, skirting the 34-year old decree," Piñol said. (PNA)
