Eligible coconut farmers who join registry will benefit from CFIDP –PCA

Coconut farmers who sign up for the National Coconut Farmers Registry would benefit from the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), the Philippine Coconut Authority said on Monday.

“Meron tayong National Coconut Farmers Registry so dito ay mag re-register lahat ng ating coconut farmers, coconut workers, para sila ay mabibigyan, mapagtutunan ng pansin na talagang sila ay lehitimo na talagang nagsasaka,” PCA Deputy Administrator Ramon Rivera explained during a public briefing .

(We have a National Coconut Farmer Registry where all coconut farmers and coconut workers can register so they can be supported and be recognized as legitimate farmers.)

Rivera thus urged coconut farmers and workers to sign up for the registry system.

The deputy administrator explained that their definition of a coconut farmer was one who owned no more than three hectares. This also included workers or laborers who farm coconut.

“Pero pinapa register namin yung ibang magsasaka na may lampas sa tatlong hektarya. Pero sila ang priority (we are calling on other coconut farmers with more than three hectares to register, but those with three hectares or less would remain the priority),” he added.

Rivera said the CFIDP serves as the implementing rules and regulations of RA 11524 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act.

Some of the programs under this include social protection, scholarships, and training.

“Una po ay social protection para sa ating coconut farmers. Andito po ‘yung health and medical program. Ang magpapa-implement nito ay Philippine Coconut Authority at kasama po siyempre ‘yung ating national health program,” he said.

(First, this provides our coconut farmers with social protection. This has health and medical programs. This will be implemented by the PCA and our national health program.)

There would also be scholarships under the Commission on Higher Education and training for coconut farmers under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority at the Agriculture Training Institute. — DVM, GMA News