Several coconut farmers in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental lauded President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for highlighting the coconut industry during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 28, 2025.

“Milyon-milyong Pilipino ang umaasa sa puno ng niyog bilang pangunahing kabuhayan. Mula ngayong taon, hindi bababa sa labing-limang milyong hybrid at mataas na klaseng mga binhi ng niyog ang ating itatanim sa iba't ibang panig ng bansa! At itutuloy natin ito hanggang isandaang milyong puno ng niyog ang ating maitatanim sa buong Pilipinas,” Marcos said during his SONA.

Among those who welcomed the president’s pronouncements is Sarah Bonita, a coconut farmer from Barangay Amoros whose main source of income is from harvesting “butong” or young coconuts from her small plantation located just behind her house.

“Sa butong pag human ug harvest diresto namo deliver pag uli kwarta na dayon maka palit nami sa among panginahanglan,” Bonita said.

Bonita primarily grows hybrid and dwarf coconut varieties, which are known for fruiting faster.

However, she said the seedlings are expensive. That is why it would be a great help for them if the government could provide additional seedlings.

“Unta matinuod sa atong pangulo nga ipang hatag sa mag-uuma para maka dugang ug income sa among panginabuhian,” Bonita added.

According to the City Agriculture Office, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has already started distributing free coconut seedlings.

The office added that there is a need to replant coconuts as the number of trees in the city has been declining.

“Bisan dako ang area nagkagamay na lang ang lubi nga nabilin tungod gipang-gamit siya isip construction material mas maayo nga mag tanom ug utro mga bag-o nga variety,” City Agriculturist, Nolly Gabule, said.

Currently, the total coconut plantation area in the city covers nearly 1,000 hectares.