PCIC Chief of Marketing and Sales Division Jose Ma. Torres, Jr. discusses crop insurance under the social protection component of the CFIDP during the information caravan in Tigbauan, Iloilo.
WESTERN VISAYAS – Aiming to provide awareness and understanding of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Program (CFIDP), ATI Region 6 conducted a series of regional information campaigns. About 400 agricultural extension workers, representatives from the local government units, and coconut farmers and workers from the provinces of Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental were gathered and provided with first-hand information on the components, services, and technologies extended to the beneficiaries of the CFIDP.
Representatives from the various implementing agencies also discussed their programs for the coconut farmers, workers, and their families under the CFIDP. Agencies that were present during the series of the information campaign were the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the lead implementing agency of the CFIDP, the Cooperative Development Authority, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office VI-High Value Crops Development Program, Department of Trade and Industry, Development Bank of the Philippines, National Dairy Authority, Philippine Crop Insurance Council (PCIC), Postharvest Development and Mechanization, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Local chief executives also graced the activity and expressed support for the coconut farmers and CFIDP-related programs. In Antique, Vice Governor Edgar Denosta encouraged the farmers to participate in all of the activities and projects under the program.
He said, "Each of us has a role to play, and to fulfill our roles, we have to talk about it. This information caravan is our starting point to revitalize the coconut industry here in Antique. Let us try to implement the program efficiently here in our province."
Meanwhile, in Guimaras, Mayor Emmanuel Galila stressed that the program would significantly benefit the province.
"Our coconut industry needs support. So, you must encourage the members of your associations to join the program. We have here the various implementing agencies that will help us. I hope our shared efforts will bring progress here in our province," he remarked.
During the last leg of the information caravan held in Kabankalan City, Mayor Benjie Miranda shared his experience utilizing coconut, specifically coconut water.
"When I'm in the military, we have survived by consuming coconut water. We drink it for it is safer than the water in the area. We cook rice using it. It cleanses our body and keeps us going," he shared. Also, he emphasized that the CFIDP will give importance to the coconut industry, and when it materializes, it will significantly help the city through coconut planting in upland areas.
Every information caravan also has an open forum to give the participants an avenue to raise their clarifications and questions regarding implementing the CFIDP in their respective provinces.
The CFIDP is part of the undertakings stipulated by Republic Act No. 11524, also known as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act (CFITFA). Under the law, implementing agencies led by the PCA will implement social protection programs for coconut farmers, farm workers, and their families. Likewise, the law includes the organization and development of coconut farmers, innovative research projects and their practical application, community-based enterprise, and integrated processing of downstream coconut products. All of these aimed to increase income, alleviate poverty and achieve social equality for the poor and marginalized coconut farmers in the country towards "MASAGANA, MATATAG, AT PROGRESIBONG INDUSTRIYA NG NIYOG SA BANSA."
The series of information caravans were held last October 10, 2022, in SanJose, Antique; October 11 in Banga, Aklan; October 12 in Roxas City, Capiz; October 13-14 in Lemery and Tigbauan, Iloilo; October 18 in Jordan, Guimaras and October 19-20 in Talisay City and Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, respectively.
