Key government agencies and cooperative stakeholders convened during the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) Stakeholders Meeting cum 2nd Quarter Provincial Cooperative Development Council (PCDC) Meeting of Surigao del Sur, reaffirming their commitment to advancing programs and initiatives that promote the welfare of coconut farmers and the development of the coconut industry in the province.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the presentation of Senior Cooperative Development Specialist and CFIDP Focal Person, Mrs. Demeleyne B. Gabales, who discussed the provisions of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2012-67, which provides for the establishment of the Local Coconut Industry Development Council (LCIDC) within the Local Development Council (LDC) of Local Government Units (LGUs). She also elaborated on the salient features of Republic Act No. 11524, otherwise known as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, emphasizing its implementation mechanisms, management and utilization of the trust fund, and the reconstitution of the Philippine Coconut Authority Board. Mrs. Gabales highlighted the significance of these policy frameworks in ensuring that coconut farmers receive sustainable assistance and opportunities for industry development.

Joining the discussion was the CFIDP Focal Person from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office, who presented the Scholarship Program for Coconut Farmers and Their Families. The program aims to provide educational opportunities to qualified coconut farmers and their dependents, enabling them to pursue higher education and acquire knowledge and skills that will contribute to their families’ socio-economic advancement and the long-term development of the coconut industry.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Ruby Tamparong, Provincial CFIDP Focal Person of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in Surigao del Sur, discussed the various programs and interventions under the CFIDP. She highlighted that the implementation of the program is a collaborative undertaking that extends beyond the three partner agencies and involves several national government agencies and stakeholders working together to ensure the successful delivery of services and benefits to coconut farmers.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment among government agencies, local government units, cooperatives, and other stakeholders to strengthen convergence efforts and continue implementing responsive programs that will uplift the lives of coconut farmers, empower their communities, and contribute to the sustainable growth of the coconut industry in Surigao del Sur.