When incoming Agriculture Secretary,Manny Piñol was in the second Cabinet meeting, he tackled about his goals for the industry. He planned for about a,six-year, 600,00-hectare coconut planting program which he has already,told to officials of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
Piñol reported that PCA,officials guaranteed that the bureau and its stakeholders will be able to produce planting materials to cover his,future program. And even has a draft for the project proposal, originally called,Coconut Productivity and Rehabilitation Agenda (COPRA).
Its objective is to bring back the country's reputation,as the number one coconut producer in the world. For this, President-elect Rodrigo Roa Duterte,commanded newly designated chief presidential legal counsel Salvador,Panelo to make sure the P71-billion coconut levy funds are delivered to the farmers.
On Wednesday night, Piñol even,quoted Duterte's statement to Cabinet appointees in a meeting at Philippine International Convention,Center (PICC). Saying: This is an emotional issue for the coconut farmers, including my late mother. The coconut levy funds,should be given to the farmers.
This is what Duterte stated, I am directing Atty. Panelo to look into,this matter and make sure that the coconut levy funds,are released to the farmers.
The levy was forced upon coconut,farmers during the late President Ferdinand Marcos' dictatorship regime. According to researchers, the coco levy fund,reached P93 billion, and that P74 billion has been refrained to,the Bureau of Treasury.
Back to Piñol's program, farmers will be admitted to a plant now, pay later plan for,seedlings, fertilizers, and irrigation equipment. Along with the coconut planting,program, introduction of secondary crops like: abaca, cacao, coffee, and black,pepper will be incorporated.
Thousands of jobs are projected to be generated by,this program which would result in greater economic activities in the countryside, incoming Agriculture,Secretary Manny Piñol stated.
And lastly adding that, With the expected release,of the coconut levy funds to the real owners and the start of the massive national,coconut planting program, the coconut industry is expected to regain its reputation as one of the country's biggest,foreign exchange earners for the country.
source: GMA
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