Coconut trees. STOCK PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to create a coconut industry rehabilitation plan that includes the planting of 100 million coconut trees by the end of his administration’s term in 2028.
In a social media post, Marcos, who is also the concurrent Agriculture Secretary, said that his administration is “fully committed” to planting 100 million coconut trees.
“We’re fully committed to planting 100 million coconut trees by 2028 through the PCA’s Coconut Planting and Replanting Project. Our priority is crafting a clear plan to guarantee that every peso invested leaves a lasting impact,” he wrote on Facebook.
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Marcos recently met with PCA officials in Malacañang to discuss the agency’s proposed Coconut Planting and Replanting Project.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement that: “Under the proposed planting and replanting program, the PCA targets to plant 20 to 25 million trees annually from 2023 to 2028, or 100 million trees.”
According to the PCO, Marcos emphasized during his meeting with PCA officials the importance of the plan that should extend beyond his presidency.
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“Don’t bother with political terms. Kung walang politika, walang change of administration, nakakasiguro kayo tuloy-tuloy,” the PCO statement quoted Marcos as saying.
(Don’t bother with political terms. If there is no politics, there is no change of administration, you can be assured of continuity.)
“Kailangan maliwanag ‘yung plano. Tiyakin natin na talagang ginamit natin sa tama,” the President also reportedly said.
(The plan must be clear. Let’s make sure we use it correctly.)
The PCO said PCA has recommended the issuance of a Memorandum Circular that would direct all government agencies to support coconut tree planting and replanting.
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