Duterte OKs dev’t plan for coconut farmers, industry

MORNING RITUAL Collecting coconut sap is a morning ritual for Quezon farmers involved in the production of native wine. —DELFIN T. MALLARI JR.

MANILA, Philippines — In less than a month before his term ends, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the coconut farmers and industry development plan (CFIDP).

Duterte signed on June 2 Executive Order No. 172, which approves the CFIDP and tasks the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and other concerned government agencies to implement it.

The CFIDP shall be reviewed annually and the PCA, in consultation with concerned agencies and stakeholders, shall revisit and update it every five years, subject to the approval of the President.

Under the order, the PCA and other implementing agencies can issue guidelines and advisory opinions or adopt specific policy recommendations and actions relative to the plan’s full implementation.

All government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities, including state universities and colleges, corporations and financial institutions are directed to give their full assistance to and cooperation with the PCA.

Local government units are likewise enjoined to do the same.

Funding for the programs under the CFIDP shall be taken from the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund under Republic Act No. 11524 and from regular budgets of agencies.

Under Section 4 of RA No. 11524, the PCA is directed to develop the CFIDP which will provide national programs for the establishment of community-based enterprises; providing social protection for coconut farmers, farm workers and their families; organizing and developing coconut farmers; conducting innovative research on coconut processing, production, and distribution; and integrating the processing of coconut and downstream products.

/MUF