SIQUIJOR, Siquijor, Sept. 21 (PIA) -- The long-overdue coconut levy fund estimated at P100 billion has been approved for the coconut farmers following the signing into law of Republic Act 117524, an Act Creating the Coconut Farmers and Industry Fund Act by former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Feb. 26, 2021.
Assistant Secretary Virgilio L. Lazaga of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) left striking messages to the attendees of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) Information Caravan recently at Bellview, Siquijor, Siquijor. He urged coconut farmers and stakeholders to aim for best. (RACPIA7-Siquijor)
R.A. 117524 provides for the utilization of the coconut levy after aroundfour decades of waiting, said Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region 7 Director Brendan Trasmonte during the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) Information Caravan in Siquijor province, the fourth leg of its CFIDP Information Caravan rollout in Central Visayas.
"It is expected nga mosaka pa ni siya into P150 billion because of the assests nga nakabutang sa balaud nga pwede na siya i-dispose para madugang pa gyud aning atong Coconut Levy Funds for the benefit sa ato nga mga coconut farmers (It is expected that the amount will go up to P150 billion given the assets, which the law provides that it can be disposed, of which proceeds will be added to the coco levy funds for the benefit of the coconut farmers)," Trasmonte said.
He said the CFIDP was created and approved through Executive Order 172 signed on June 2, 2022 as a requirement for the allocation and utilization of budget from the Coconut Levy Funds for the coconut farmers.
The budget is now available and ready for use.
“It is just a matter of preparations, engagements with the different agencies, consultations with the coconut farmers, prioritizations, finalizations of projects, programs and services for the farmers," he added.
Participants of the CIDP Information Caravan held recently at the Kuzzina Bar, Bellview, Siquijor, Siquijor. (RAC/PIA7 Siquijor)
“Kani nga rollout nato, ato ning gipahigayon (we conducted this rollout) so that the Province of Siquijor coconut farmers and stakeholders, as well as our partner agencies, 15 of them, will know and help disseminate the information,” said Trasmonte.
He said that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr., who also happens to be the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, has directed them to fast track the implementation of CFIDP.
Trasmonte said the CFIDP is a document that involves or contains programs for development for the coconut farmers, their families, and the stakeholders.
Held at Kuzzina Bar, Bellview, Siquijor, Siquijor, the information caravan was done in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute 7, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and other implementing partner agencies with the participation of the provincial and local government units, coconut farmer leaders, and stakeholders. (RAC/NRO/PIA7 Siquijor)
Maria Mayor Roselyn Asok during the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan Information Caravan where she urged coconut farmers and stakeholders to aim for more products that are in demand. (RAC/PIA7 Siquijor)
