PRRD OKs ‘Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan’

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on March 29, 2021. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has issued an executive order (EO) approving the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the coconut farmers in the country.

Under EO 172 inked on June 2, Duterte emphasized the significance of having a plan for the development of the coconut industry.

“There is a need to approve the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan to increase overall productivity and income of coconut farmers, alleviate poverty, and achieve the twin objectives of rehabilitating and modernizing the coconut industry to attain social equity,” Duterte said in the EO.

EO 172 mandates the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), along with other concerned government agencies, to implement the CFIDP.

“The CFIDP shall be reviewed annually to ensure its effective implementation, taking into consideration the absorptive capacity and performance of implementing agencies, as well as the outputs and outcomes of programs based on key performance indicators,” the order read.

The funds needed for the programs under the CFIDP will be taken from the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund under Republic Act (RA) 11524 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, as well as from the regular appropriations of implementing agencies.

Consistent with RA 11524, the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund shall be “separate and distinct from the regular funds appropriated to the PCA,” the EO said.

“In this regard, the PCA, together with other implementing agencies, shall continue to pursue their mandates of implementing programs and projects for the development of the coconut industry, from their respective regular appropriations and from funds under the Trust Fund,” the order said.

The PCA, in consultation with concerned agencies and stakeholders, is also tasked to revisit and update the CFIDP every five years, subject to the President’s approval, to ensure that strategies and programs are “responsive to evolving industry needs,” according to the EO.

The PCA and other implementing agencies may issue guidelines and advisory opinions or adopt specific policy recommendations and actions relative to the full implementation of the CFIDP, sans the need for further approval of the President.

“It is understood, however, that all policies or courses of action to be adopted shall be consistent with RA No. 11524 and the CFIDP, and that the same are properly coordinated with and endorsed by the PCA Board,” EO 172 said.

All departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the government are directed to provide full assistance to and cooperation with the PCA and other implementing agencies of the CFIDP, to mobilize the necessary resources for the implementation of the plan.

The directive covers state universities and colleges, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and government financial institutions.

The EO also enjoins local government units to help the PCA and other implementing agencies of the CFIDP.

Section 4 of RA 11524 directs the PCA to develop the CFIDP that will implement programs for the establishment of community-based enterprises, as well as for the provision of social protection for coconut farmers, farm workers, and their families.

The plan also seeks projects that will focus on the organization and development of coconut farmers; the conduct of innovative research for the development of the domestic coconut industry; and the integrated processing of coconut and downstream products.

On February 28, the PCA Board adopted and endorsed the proposed CFIDP after a series of consultations with concerned government agencies, coconut farmers and other stakeholders.

EO 172, which was made public on Wednesday, takes effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.