"The coconut industry remains a contributor to economic growth."
After decades of waiting and struggling, a law providing for the utilization of the coconut levy fund has finally been enacted. Last March, President Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11524, also known as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act. The law creates a Trust Fund for all coco levy funds and assets which shall then be used for the benefit of our coconut farmers and the development of the coconut industry.
Last month, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) drafted the law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) which is now in effect. The PCA, being the head agency for the implementation of the law, also announced that it has been working on the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). Under the law, the CFIDP shall institute programs for coconut farmers to improve the delivery and distribution of coconut products, innovate coconut production, and provide social protection among coconut farmers, farm workers, and their families.
It is undeniable that the intentions of the law are good. Hence, it is important that the CFIDP should clearly enumerate the standards and criteria in the selection of beneficiaries and should be as inclusive as possible to all coconut farmers and their families. I share the sentiments of the Senate in asking that the registration be continuous. The government should consider the obstacles posed by the pandemic. Given that the law is supposed to benefit our coconut farmers who are mostly living in provinces and other far-flung areas, it is only right that we should allow them some leeway.
It is also important that the programs be specifically identified in order to assess very well its impact on the lives of the coconut farmers. These programs should include educational support, scholarships, and medical assistance for the families of coconut farmers. We should provide them adequate support so that coconut farming continues to be a sustainable industry and livelihood.
The law also provides for improving processes and techniques in coconut farming. While this is so, I ask the implementing bodies to organize and conduct planting of new coconut trees to replace our old and damaged trees. The innovation and research in coconut production and distribution should be maximized to include all coconut-producing provinces in the country.
The Philippines is one of the world’s top coconut-producing countries. Given that the pandemic and multiple lockdowns have crippled many industries in the country, we need to maintain the viability of our coconut industry as well as the quality of our coconut products, for both local and foreign consumption. The coconut industry remains a contributor to economic growth. It has so much potential to improve, if only we have the appropriate, modernized, and responsive programs.
Hence, we need to ensure that the IRR and the CFIDP of this law will live up to its promises. Local government units of coconut-producing provinces such as Quezon are willing to coordinate with the PCA in order to efficiently and effectively implement the programs and deliver the benefits intended to our coconut farmers. On the other hand, I urge the public to remain vigilant in the utilization of the coco levy fund. Now that the tool is made, we need to make sure that it is being used properly and honestly, and that it be responsive to the actual needs of our hardworking coconut farmers.