CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA 7) — After three years since implementation, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region 7 continues to develop the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) for the coconut farmers in the region.
In celebration of the National Coconut Week, PCA-7 conducted a stakeholder’s consultation on CFIDP with coconut farmers in Cebu.
“Among i-feature ang mga programa hilabi na ang Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan na namugna gikan sa Republic Act 11524 otherwise known as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act,” said PCA-7 regional manager III Brendan Transmonte.
(We will feature the programs especially the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan that created the Republic Act 11524 otherwise known as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act.)
Transmonte said the forum aims to inform the coconut farmers of the steps that the government has taken for them and their families.
The consultation included a briefing on the Republic Act No. 11524, otherwise known as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act that enables the approved five-year CFIDP.
According to PCA project development officer IV Aurora Paquibot, the implementation of RA 11524 would run up to 50 years, while the approved CFIDP is good for five years.
Upon its enactment, the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) shall transfer P10 billion to the trust fund.
Paquibot added that PCA is currently proposing an amendment of the CFIDP based on their experience during the first two years of implementation.
Anchored on the Philippine Coconut Industry Roadmap 2021-2040 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Roadmap (COCOFIRM), CFIDP is characterized by three component programs, namely: social protection programs, coconut farmer organization and development, and the coconut hybridization.
Under the social protection program, coconut farmers can take advantage of the health and medical program, crop insurance, scholarship, and training.
Coconut farmers can also establish a coco farmer cooperative and avail of capability building activities under the Coconut Farmers Organization and Development program.
Under the coconut hybridization program, coconut farmers will be supported with coconut hybrid production, seed farm development, communal nursery, strategic planting, precision farming, among others.
However, coconut farmers can only avail of the programs if they are registered with the National Coconut Farmers’ Registry System or the NCFRS.
Paquibot emphasized the importance of registration among the coconut farmers to avail of the programs which PCA offers for coconut farmers including those under the CFIDP.
To avail of the programs under CFIDP, under Section 3 of RA 11524, coconut farmers should either be the following:
- An owner of a coconut farm that is not more than five hectares who:
- Tills the land (owner-cultivator); or
- Does not till the land, but has control and supervision over the cultivation of the coconut farm which is not more than five hectares;
- A leaseholder with not more than five hectares or tenants who tills or supervises the cultivation of the coconut farm; or
- A farm worker or laborer, whether seasonal or itinerant, engaged in the harvesting of the nuts and processing of copra as major means of livelihood.
Transmonte acknowledged the important role of coconut farmers as they are essential in the coconut industry and to the economy as a whole.
“Sa mga miaging tuig, nilungtad gyud ang atoang coconut industry ug gane aduna kita’y mga lakang nga mapalig-on pa gyud nato ang pag-uswag ug pagtubo sa industriya sa lubi nga sa diin kamo, coconut farmers, mao’y main actors,” Transmonte said.
(In the past years, our coconut industry has remained steadfast and we even have steps to strengthen the development and growth of the coconut industry in which you, coconut farmers, are the main actors.) (JJT/PIA 7)
