BACOLOD City – The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in Negros Occidental marked the National Coconut Week with a two-day Coco Bazaar from Aug. 9 to 10.
The activity showcased various coconut products from the province. It was held at the PCA Negros Occidental office at The Site Bldg., Buri Road in Mandalagan here.
According to Engr. Serafin Auster Layog IV of PCA Negros Occidental, it aims to spotlight coconut products that will hopefully boost demand and increase the farmers’ income.
“Coconut farmers have been neglected for years, and through PCA programs, they envision a better life for the main stakeholders in this sector,” he said.
He added that farmers are expected to benefit from the Coconut Levy Act that will grant them livelihood projects, incentives, and other programs to spur the growth of the coconut industry.
To avail of this assistance, every farmer should register for free in the Coconut Farmers Registry System. They may visit the regional, provincial PCA office or the local government unit to assist them.
The PCA aims to register at least 36,000 farmers by the end of the month. PCA personnel also visit barangays to register farmers.
Assistance from the Coconut Levy Act will be channeled directly to those who have registered by next year, Layog said.
There are about 37,000 coconut farmers in Negros Occidental. Recent coconut inventory showed, there are two million bearing coconut in the province, two million non-bearing, and about 90,000 senile and are due for cutting and replacement.(PIA/PN)
