Creating awareness on the implementation of the Republic Act No. 11524 also known as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF), the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 1 (ATI-RTC 1), in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-Region 1, conducted four (4) batches of Information Caravan on the CFITF in region 1 for the year 2023.
The activity resulted to 230 coconut farmers and growers from the different municipalities in the region being informed and encouraged to participate in the various programs and services of the implementing agencies of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).
Specifically, the activity was slated on the following dates and venues:
March 30 in Agno, Pangasinan
The first rollout of the information caravan was held at Don Tranquilino Celeste Auditorium, Agno, Pangasinan with 58 coconut farmers and growers from the municipalities of Agno and Bani in attendance.
Aside from ATI-RTC 1 and PCA, the activity was also attended by other implementing agencies of the CFIDP that include the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), National Dairy Authority (NDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
Agno Municipal Mayor Hon. Gualberto Sison was also present and expressed his support and commitment to this program.
March 31 in Dasol, Pangasinan
A total of 60 Dasol coconut farmers and growers participated in the second batch of the information caravan that was conducted at Brgy. Poblacion, Dasol Pangasinan.
Among the CFIDP implementing agencies present during the activity were the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 1 (ATI-RTC 1).
Dasol Municipal Agriculture Office, headed by Engr. Maria Frieda Briz, was also in support to this activity.
April 12 in Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur
The third leg of the information caravan was done at the Gov. Titong Singson Memorial Auditorium, Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur with 56 coconut farmers and growers from the said municipality participated.
The activity was attended by different CFIDP implementing agencies, namely Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA); Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech); Cooperative Development Authority (CDA); Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP); Department of Trade Industry (DTI); National Dairy Authority (NDA); Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC); and Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 1(ATI-RTC 1).
Key officials from the province of Ilocos Sur and the municipality of Sta. Lucia were also in attendance during the activity and expressed their commitment and support in the implementation of various program components of the CFIDP.
Specifically, the event was graced by Provincial Board Member and Vice Chairperson for Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Hon. Christopher Baterina; Sta. Lucia Vice Mayor Hon. Eduardo Toquero; and Sta. Lucia Board Member Narciso Garcia. The agriculture office staff of the host municipality was also in support to this activity.
April 13 in Adams, Ilocos Norte
The fourth and last batch of the Information Caravan on the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) for the year 2023 was conducted at the Adams Municipal Gymnasium, Adams, Ilocos Norte.
Fifty-six (56) coconut farmers from the municipalities of Adams, Pagudpud, and Dumalneg participated in the information caravan.
Present CFIDP implementing agencies were the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Department of Trade Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), and the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 1(ATI-RTC 1).
The event was graced by Atty. Pancho Jose, Chief of Staff of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte; Hon. Rosalia D. Dupagen, Mayor of Adams; Hon. Eddie Boy A. Suniga, Adams Vice Mayor; Ms. Socorro Galanto, TESDA Provincial Director; and head of different offices of LGU-Adams.
Meanwhile, an open forum was integrated in the activity after the presentation of various programs and services under the CFIDP. This was to facilitate and supplement the sharing of information among the CFIDP implementing agencies and the coconut farmers and growers.
Various information, education, and communication (IEC) materials were also distributed during the activity which serve as a reference on the program offered by the CFIDP.
To note, the Center conducted a total of nine (9) batches of information caravans from the start of the implementation of the CFIDP in 2022.
