Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. backed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to amend the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, emphasizing that the reform is critical for the survival and growth of one of the country’s top agricultural export earners.
“We must revise the law to focus the trust fund’s resources on the most critical needs—particularly replanting,” said Tiu Laurel. “Many of our coconut trees are senile. If we don’t replace them immediately, we risk losing the industry’s future.”
Why it matters:
Most of the country's coconut trees are over 50 years old and produce less than half the yield of younger trees. Without mass replanting, productivity will continue to decline—crippling farmer incomes and weakening the country’s competitive edge in global markets.
“These reforms are about more than productivity—they’re about securing the livelihoods of millions of Filipino coconut farmers,” Tiu Laurel added.
Reality check:
Only 134 processing plants are operating—many at half-capacity.
The country’s 60 oil mills are processing below their combined capacity of 3.7 million metric tons due to poor farm yields.
Demand for coconut oil is growing, especially in Europe, but supply may not keep pace without immediate action.
What’s happening:
The Philippine Coconut Authority planted 8.6 million seedlings in 2024, exceeding its 8.5 million target despite El Niño—but this is still far from the goal of 100 million trees by 2028.
For 2025, P1 billion is allotted for replanting and P1.8 billion for fertilization.
What’s next:
The proposed amendment will allow the P80-billion trust fund to support high-impact, flexible programs—including drip irrigation, water impounding, fertilization, and farmer welfare.
“We’ve consulted with agencies, farmer groups, and stakeholders to ensure the amendments reflect the sector’s growing needs,” said PCA Administrator Dexter Buted. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
