HELP FOR COCO FARMERS. Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Administrator Benjamin Madrigal Jr. signs a pledge of commitment during the regional launch of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan on Aug. 19, 2022 at the PCA field office in Palo town, Leyte province. The PCA has brought to the regions the rollout of the roadmap that will help coconut farmers get out of poverty. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)
PALO, Leyte – The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has brought to the regions the rollout of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), a roadmap to help coconut farmers get out of poverty.
PCA Administrator Benjamin Madrigal Jr. said during the regional launch here on Friday they have to bring the campaign to the regions to raise awareness among coconut farmers about the plan and to strengthen ties with government agencies tasked to carry out the plan.
“After more than four decades of waiting, the law for the management and utilization of the coco levy fund that was enacted last year will now be finally implemented in fulfillment of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign promise to our coconut farmers,” Madrigal said.
“We presented the plan to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and he wants immediate implementation of activities designed to raise the income of our coconut farmers,” he added.
The CFIDP was drafted following the signing of Republic Act 11524, known as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act (CFITFA), by Duterte on Feb. 26, 2021. The plan was approved through Executive Order 172, which was signed on June 2, 2022.
CFIDP aims to increase the income and productivity of the 2.5 million coconut farmers in the country; promote poverty alleviation, education, and social equity; and rehabilitate and modernize the Philippine coconut industry.
The CFIDP is composed of various components to be realized by PCA and partner government agencies: social protection, coconut farmers organization and development, hybridization, community-based farm enterprise development: farm rehabilitation and improvement, integrated coconut processing and downstream products, innovative research projects, and support services.
Under the law, PHP75 billion will be allocated to the CFITFA for the next five years while the roadmap will receive PHP5 billion every year.
“The fund will directly finance programs and projects for coconut farmers. There will be separate funds for administrative expenses,” Madrigal said.
Different regions launched the plan on Friday as part of the 36th National Coconut Week Celebration. (PNA)
