The ATI-RTC X in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority-Region X (PCA-Region X) dedicated the month of May in conducting a series of information caravan on Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) in Bukidnon, Camiguin, Iligan City, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental.
The said activity aimed to raise awareness of the CFIDP and to know the different implementing agencies and their programs for the development of the coconut farmers and the coconut industry in our region. CFIDP was officially approved by President Rodrigo R. Duterte through Executive Order 172 on June 2, 2022 emphasizing the significance of having a development plan for the coconut industry towards ‘matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay’.
The information caravans were participated by coconut farmer-leaders/members of various cooperatives and associations, representatives from the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), local government units, and other partner stakeholders.
During an information caravan in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, PCA X Regional Manager Manuel G. Octobre expressed his happiness to the participants as he said that after almost four decades, the coco-levy fund can now be utilized through the CFIDP and encouraged them to access the opportunities from the coco levy fund and to venture into coconut processing.
“One of the national problems in our coconut industry is low gross in value-adding, that is why, aside from copra, our coconut farmers should also consider other coconut products such as coconut husk pots, charcoal briquettes, coco sugar and export it since it has been in demand in other countries, there are still a lot of opportunities when it comes to coconut processing.”
Moreover, he also emphasized that LGUs should include coconut on their commodity investment plan and craft proposals that are based on the situation in their communities.
“Let us continue to work together to address the problems in our coconut industry and enjoy the benefits of the coco levy fund for the next 50 years” he ended.
During the activity, an open forum was also conducted for the participants to raise their questions and concerns regarding the CFIDP. #
