President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday laid out the
government’s plans on how to improve the coconut industry – and the lives of
its farmers -- as the government awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on the
longstanding issue on the P71-billion Coco Levy Fund.
During a dialogue with members of the Kilus Magniniyog, who staged a 71-day march from Davao City to Malacañang Palace, President Aquino said the government has sincerely tried to resolve the issue, citing the various court decisions on the fund that were in favor the coconut sector.
“Ang problema lang po: hangga’t wala pang hatol hinggil sa motion for partial reconsideration na ating nilatag para sa kasong COCOFED vs. Republic, at wala pang utos ang Korte Suprema hinggil sa nilatag nating motion for partial entry of judgment para sa kaso, hindi pa po tapos ang proseso, at hindi pa rin po natin maaaring gugulin ang perang dapat nakalaan sa industriya ng niyog,” he explained.
He however noted that while waiting for the court decision, the government has increased the Philippine Coconut Authority’s (PCA) funding from P593 million in 2010 to P5.1 billion in 2013.
Giving an example, he said intercropping has been introduced in coconut farms to increase the farmers’ harvests.
“Kung magkakaroon po tayo ng fertilization, at dadagdagan ng saging ang sasakahin sa pamamagitan ng intercropping, tinataya ko aabot ng 129,000 piso ang kabuuang kita kada ektarya. Kung hahabulin nating anihin ang coco sap sugar, nang may fertilization at dagdag ding saging, aabot ang kita sa 185,900 piso. Kung sa virgin coconut oil naman po, dagdag sa saging at kung may fertilization, ang dati pong 20,000 piso mula sa kopra, aangat sa 250,320 piso sa kada ektarya kada taon. Kabilang nga po ito sa mga inisyatiba natin upang palakihin ang inyong kita,” said President Aquino.
The Chief Executive further said that the government is strengthening coco-based farming enterprises, such as those on coco-sugar, coco coir, vinegar, and other coconut-based products.
It has also set up scholarship programs to improve the skills of the next generation of farmers, he said, emphasizing that all these programs were funded by the national budget.
The President stated that he is open to the sale of the government’s controlling stakes in the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB).
He has also directed government agencies to study the best way to mobilize the Coco Levy Fund, once the High Tribunal has made a decision.
Coconut farmers will be consulted in the crafting of legislation that would aid the country’s coconut industry, he said, adding that Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis Pangilinan has already held discussions with coconut farmers.
“Ibinahagi niya po sa akin ang iba pang napagkasunduan. Una: Bagaman mas maganda kung mayroong batas, habang wala po ito, inaaral na rin po natin ang mungkahi ninyong gumawa na muna ako ng isang Executive Order. Ikalawa: Na ang pondo ng Coco Levy Fund ay bukod pa sa pondong inilalaan natin sa Philippine Coconut Authority, mula sa pambansang budget. Sang-ayon po tayo dito. Ikatlo: Sang-ayon din po ako na tanging interest income mula sa Coco Levy Fund ang ating gagamitin, upang pati ang mga susunod na henerasyon ng magsasaka ay mapakinabangan ito,” he said.
Reiterating the government’s support for the coconut industry, President Aquino enjoined the coconut farmers to continue trusting the administration and sought their cooperation in fulfilling their aspirations. (PCOO News Release)
During a dialogue with members of the Kilus Magniniyog, who staged a 71-day march from Davao City to Malacañang Palace, President Aquino said the government has sincerely tried to resolve the issue, citing the various court decisions on the fund that were in favor the coconut sector.
“Ang problema lang po: hangga’t wala pang hatol hinggil sa motion for partial reconsideration na ating nilatag para sa kasong COCOFED vs. Republic, at wala pang utos ang Korte Suprema hinggil sa nilatag nating motion for partial entry of judgment para sa kaso, hindi pa po tapos ang proseso, at hindi pa rin po natin maaaring gugulin ang perang dapat nakalaan sa industriya ng niyog,” he explained.
He however noted that while waiting for the court decision, the government has increased the Philippine Coconut Authority’s (PCA) funding from P593 million in 2010 to P5.1 billion in 2013.
Giving an example, he said intercropping has been introduced in coconut farms to increase the farmers’ harvests.
“Kung magkakaroon po tayo ng fertilization, at dadagdagan ng saging ang sasakahin sa pamamagitan ng intercropping, tinataya ko aabot ng 129,000 piso ang kabuuang kita kada ektarya. Kung hahabulin nating anihin ang coco sap sugar, nang may fertilization at dagdag ding saging, aabot ang kita sa 185,900 piso. Kung sa virgin coconut oil naman po, dagdag sa saging at kung may fertilization, ang dati pong 20,000 piso mula sa kopra, aangat sa 250,320 piso sa kada ektarya kada taon. Kabilang nga po ito sa mga inisyatiba natin upang palakihin ang inyong kita,” said President Aquino.
The Chief Executive further said that the government is strengthening coco-based farming enterprises, such as those on coco-sugar, coco coir, vinegar, and other coconut-based products.
It has also set up scholarship programs to improve the skills of the next generation of farmers, he said, emphasizing that all these programs were funded by the national budget.
The President stated that he is open to the sale of the government’s controlling stakes in the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB).
He has also directed government agencies to study the best way to mobilize the Coco Levy Fund, once the High Tribunal has made a decision.
Coconut farmers will be consulted in the crafting of legislation that would aid the country’s coconut industry, he said, adding that Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis Pangilinan has already held discussions with coconut farmers.
“Ibinahagi niya po sa akin ang iba pang napagkasunduan. Una: Bagaman mas maganda kung mayroong batas, habang wala po ito, inaaral na rin po natin ang mungkahi ninyong gumawa na muna ako ng isang Executive Order. Ikalawa: Na ang pondo ng Coco Levy Fund ay bukod pa sa pondong inilalaan natin sa Philippine Coconut Authority, mula sa pambansang budget. Sang-ayon po tayo dito. Ikatlo: Sang-ayon din po ako na tanging interest income mula sa Coco Levy Fund ang ating gagamitin, upang pati ang mga susunod na henerasyon ng magsasaka ay mapakinabangan ito,” he said.
Reiterating the government’s support for the coconut industry, President Aquino enjoined the coconut farmers to continue trusting the administration and sought their cooperation in fulfilling their aspirations. (PCOO News Release)
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