By Cecile Maloles
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Philippines — More coconut farmers in CALABARZON are gaining access to livelihood, social protection, education, and market opportunities as the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) strengthens programs aimed at improving their income and overall well-being.
PCA Region IV-A Regional Manager Bibiano Concibido Jr. underscored the vital role of the coconut industry in the country’s economy, supporting more than three million coconut farmers nationwide and generating employment through various coconut-based enterprises.
“Napakalaking role o papel ang ginagampanan ng industriya ng niyog sa ating kabuhayan at sa ekonomiya ng bansa,” Concibido stressed during the Sulong Southern Tagalog radio program on Aug. 24.
In CALABARZON, the industry supports thousands of workers through coconut processing facilities, particularly desiccated coconut plants and oil mills. The region is home to some of the country’s biggest desiccated coconut plants, while Quezon has a significant concentration of coconut farms and oil mills, expanding employment opportunities across the industry’s value chain.
Among the direct interventions provided by the PCA are free planting materials, improved coconut varieties, and fertilizers. These are complemented by the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), a comprehensive program that addresses not only farm productivity but also the welfare, organization, and economic empowerment of coconut farmers.
One of the major benefits under the program is hospitalization assistance for registered coconut farmers and their dependents. In CALABARZON, 24 accredited hospitals are available, with coverage of up to P40,000 per quarter, including outpatient services and maternity care.
“Huwag nang hintayin na magkasakit pa. May libreng konsultasyon, lahat ng test na nagkakahalaga ng P5,000 kada quarter,” Concibido emphasized, encouraging registered farmers to maximize the health benefit available to them.
The PCA also provides educational opportunities through the Coconut Farmers Scholarship Program, which may benefit qualified children, grandchildren, and other relatives of coconut farmers.
The scholarship is valued at up to P140,000 per year, providing families with additional support in sending their loved ones to college. Meanwhile, coconut farmers may access LandBank financing at an interest rate of only 2 percent per annum, with loans ranging from P50,000 to P3 million for livelihood and other productive activities.
The agency is also working to give farmers a stronger position in the coconut value chain by organizing them into cooperatives that can directly buy, consolidate, and market their members’ produce to processing plants.
“Unti-unti, ginagawa po natin sila na mismo ang magiging trader,” Concibido explained, noting that the approach can reduce the number of intermediaries and allow farmers to capture a larger share of the value of their produce.
As of the latest data, around 248,000 coconut farmers are registered in CALABARZON, with more than half coming from Quezon. Concibido urged unregistered farmers, including those who work in coconut farms but do not own land, to enroll in the National Coconut Farmer Registry System (NCFR) to gain access to government assistance.
“Ang pinaka-unang hakbang talaga ay maiparehistro para yung lahat ng benepisyo at serbisyo ay maipahatid dito sa ating mga magsasaka,” he emphasized, adding that registration is free and may be facilitated through PCA personnel and local agriculture offices.
Beyond coconut production, PCA is promoting diversified livelihoods such as vegetable intercropping, coffee and cacao production, and raising native chicken, pigs, and goats. The agency is also strengthening farmer-led enterprises by purchasing coconut planting materials directly from farmer cooperatives.
The initiative has already generated more than P80 million in business opportunities for 15 coconut farmer organizations in the region, enabling them to become not only producers but also suppliers and entrepreneurs. “Hindi lamang supplier ng kopra. Natututo rin sila talagang magnegosyo,” Concibido added. (CCM – PIA Calabarzon)
