– Fifty coconut farmers who attended the information caravan at the Manobo Heritage Center on September 15, 2022 felt optimistic about the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). The plan was formulated as mandated in Republic Act 11524 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) Act. It is geared towards alleviating poverty at the same time rehabilitating and modernizing the country’s coconut industry.

The participants and dignitaries were welcomed by Rey Español, Municipal Agriculturist of Bunawan. On behalf of the Municipal Mayor, Executive Assistant Cipriano Dique Jr. was present to deliver the mayor’s message. He encouraged the farmers to be receptive to change and support the programs of the government for their own progress. He cited some projects given by the national governments to the local farmers which will help them in their farming. While projects and programs abound in the area, he also emphasized the importance of peace and order which must be achieved in order for development to prosper.

The Regional Manager III of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) – Caraga region explained that the Trust Fund that will be used for the implementation of the program is taken from the coco levy which was imposed on coconut farmers in the 70s and 80s. Fortunately, in 2012 the Supreme Court ruled that the levy, now amounting to more than 100 billion pesos in assets, should be awarded to the coconut farmers.

The CFIDP, which ensures funding of P75 billion over the next five years, will be disbursed in accordance with Executive Order 172 and through careful checking by the Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Bureau of Treasury (BTr).

Implementation of this program will be through a whole-of-government approach where various relevant government agencies, academic institutions, private sector stakeholders, and industry players are involved.

The CFIDP is composed of several components where 14 agencies are given specific tasks and budget allocation during the implementation phase. The components are along social protection, farmers’ organization and development; innovative research projects and their practical application, community-based enterprises, integrated processing of coconut and downstream products, and other support services.