Philippine Information Agency Director-General Joe Torres Jr. takes a selfie with Philippine Coconut Authority Deputy Administrator for Operations Roel Rosales when the latter guested a press conference hosted by PIA. (PIA-NCR photo)
“We have been providing planting materials for Dolomite Beach. We also replace the materials in need of replacement,” Rosales said, as part of sprucing up Manila Bay, a favorite local tourist destination in Metro Manila.
“I think it all depends on their (Dolomite beach administrators) plan, as long as they ask us, I think we’re okay with that. But once in a while, we also replace the coconut palm trees along Roxas Blvd.,” he added.
The National Coconut Week is a celebration of everything coconut, a crop that is regarded as the tree of life, in the Philippines because all the parts of the entire tree–from top to bottom–are used to sustain not only human life, but the country’s economy as well.
The Philippines stands as a leading global contributor to the coconut industry and its by-products. Approximately 70 percent of its total yield is exported, thereby contributing significantly, around 3.6 percent, to the agricultural gross value of the nation. Moreover, coconut is recognized as a vital agricultural commodity, finding its place alongside other essential crops like banana, corn, and rice, as identified by the Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific Region (FFTC) in the year 2019.
100 million coconut trees
To increase production, the PCA is also embarking on planting up to one hundred million coconut trees throughout the country. This is the visible response of the said office to meet the country's domestic and export demand for coconut products.
According to PCA, this move will “definitely increase” the production of coconuts in the whole country, which will be the way to increase the income of coconut farmers, and increase the volume of products made from coconuts.
Planting up to 100 million coconuts nationwide is said to be achievable within the term of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The PCA previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding with various groups of coconut farmers including the Confederation of Coconut Farmers Organizations of the Philippines, to help them reach their target.
For those interested to join in the massive coconut tree planting, Rosales said they only need to send a letter request.
“As I’ve said, we are checking first if there is a suitable area for planting. As long as there is an area for planting, we will have to evaluate it first. We are ready to help whoever is interested,” he said.
“You can write to us [PCA] so we can address your concern, even individual concerns, because we have many offices in the regions,” he added. (PIA-NCR)
