Coconut farm workers in Samal Island, Davao del Norte continue to struggle due to the low buying price of coconuts.

Currently, the farmgate price of coconut ranges from P10 to P13 per kilo while copra is priced at P61.

According to the Philippine Coconut Authority-Davao, local prices largely depend on the global market, with about 80 percent of Philippine coconuts being exported.

“Nagadepende ta kung unsay presyo sa gawas so mao nga kung taas ang demand sa lana sa lubi sa gawas unya mubo ang production mao motaas ang presyo sa karon man gud nakasinati na mubo nga produksyon kay sa milabay nakasinati ta og hulaw unya naagian og bagyo ang ubang area mao nga ang PCA karon nagapatuman og massive coconut planting,” PCA-11 Regional Manager, Juvy Alayon, said.

PCA-11 said assistance programs are available for coconut farm workers, including scholarships for their children in college, provided they register with the Department of Agriculture and join accredit cooperatives.

One of those struggling with the impact of falling prices is Tata, a coconut farm worker in Brangay Tagdaliao. Years of hard labor are evident in the thick calluses on his hands, which he uses to strip coconuts to sell for copra making.

Without his own coconut farm, he only earns when landowners hire him to harvest.

“Sauna daghan pa og lubi maka kuha mi og 2,000 sa usa ka adlaw pero karon lisod na kuhaon kay gamay ra lagi,” Tata said.

Despite the hardships, Tata holds on to his faith and hopes for better days, praying that coconut prices will increase so that his family can somehow be relieved of the burden.