The Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Coconut Authority (DA-PCA) started the nationwide rollout of the programs under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) during the opening ceremony of the 36th National Coconut Week on August 15, 2022.
The CFIDP, which was signed by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte through Executive Order No. 172 on June 2, 2022, aims to increase the competitiveness of the coconut farmers in the country.
According to PCA Administrator Benjamin R. Madrigal, Jr., the CFIDP roll-out aims to fast-track the implementation of the development plan.
“Ayon sa direktiba ng ating Pangulo, Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. na tumatayong Kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka at Chairman ng PCA board, papabilisin natin ang paglulunsad ng mga programa at pasilidad ayon sa batas,” Madrigal added.
In order to accelerate the implementation of CFIDP through its local partners, Madrigal said that the PCA and 15 other implementing bureaus and agencies are undertaking the roll out in the different coconut-growing regions to provide information on the CFIDP programs and register more eligible farmers to the farmers’ registry.
“Based on the regional allocations specified in the Plan, we undertake information campaign to increase the awareness of our coconut farmers on how they can avail and benefit from the programs under the CFIDP,” Madrigal said.
The programs and activities under the CFIDP will be funded from the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund created by virtue of RA 11524, with specific percentage allocations and to be implemented by identified agencies, pursuant to Sec. 4 of the Republic Act (RA) 11524 or the “Coconut Farmers and Industry Fund Act,” with support from the regular appropriations of the implementing agencies.
Further, Madrigal said that the CFIDP seeks to strengthen cooperation and engagement among regional stakeholders, while addressing the challenges encountered by the farmers and partner agencies.
The roll out of the CFIDP will highlight this year’s celebration of the National Coconut Week from August 24-30. Since the assumption of Madrigal as PCA Administrator in 2020, PCA has observed the Coconut Week for the whole month of August and has expanded the celebrations to the regional and provincial offices.
This year’s theme: “Masaganang Niyugan: Katuwang Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan”, aims to encourage all stakeholders involved in the coconut industry to give tribute and thanksgiving for all the blessings and benefits derived from the industry and to establish a continuing awareness of the Tree of Life’s lasting contribution to the global economy.
“Instead of celebrating it for a week, we decided to celebrate it month-long this year. This year’s celebration focuses on improving the productivity of our coconut farmers and market competitiveness of the coconut industry as a means to contribute to country’s economic prosperity,” Madrigal said.
“We continue to empower our coconut farmers and bring them to business opportunities and breakthroughs as we recover to economic difficulties cause by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.
As highlights of the month-long celebration, PCA will conduct the following activities:
• Webinar by Philippine Competition Commission on the study on Market Competition in the Coconut Sector;
• Usapang Niyogosyo which focuses on the innovative coconut-based business ventures;
• Regional CFIDP Launching and Coconut Day;
• International Symposium on Coconut Integrated Pest Management to be conducted in partnership with the International Coconut Community; and
• Gawad Niyugan, which will honor various farmers, researchers, and private sector stakeholders, for their contribution to the industry. The winners will represent our country in the International Coconut Community’s World Coconut Day contests. ### (Kristel Joyce Merle, DA-AFID)
