A lawmaker is pushing for the possible revival of a government program that previously used coconut coir products in public infrastructure projects, saying it could provide billions of pesos in support to coconut farmers and workers in rural communities.
During a Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform hearing on Thursday, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to study the return of an initiative that involved the agency purchasing coco coir materials from the local coconut industry for use in road and slope protection projects.
The program, implemented during the administration of the late former President Benigno Aquino III, reportedly generated around P4 billion annually for the coconut sector.
Under the initiative, coco coir was used by the DPWH for erosion control, slope stabilization, and hydroseeding activities in infrastructure projects.
Pangilinan, who previously chaired the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) from 2014 to 2015, said the revival of the program would help provide a stable market for coconut farmers while boosting the local industry.
Addressing representatives of the DPWH during the hearing, Pangilinan asked the agency to submit its position on restoring the program and to present a concrete implementation plan should the proposal move forward.
“Kung ang sagot is yes, ano plano niyo? I want to see your plan,” he said.
He also noted that the initiative previously benefited not only coconut farmers but also women involved in coco coir processing, who reportedly earned between P500 and P1,000 from related work.
The discussion formed part of the committee’s deliberations on Senate Bill No. 1457 and Senate Resolution No. 23, both of which seek to strengthen the participation of coconut farmers in the utilization of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF).
The hearing likewise tackled proposed amendments to Republic Act No. 11524, the law that created the trust fund for the coconut industry.