DAR-Support Services Office Undersecretary Rowena Niña Taduran and PCA Administrator Dr. Dexter Buted led the collaborative discussion between the two agencies to discuss the proposed project “An Evolving Partnership to Improve Coconut-based Agrarian Reform Communities (ARC) and ARC clusters (ARCCs)” to help coconut farmers, initially in 6 Regions of the country.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) have collaborated on a project to improve the productivity, income, and well-being of men and women coconut farmers within agrarian reform communities (ARCs) and ARC clusters (ARCCs) in selected provinces, initially within six (6) regions of CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Caraga.

DAR Support Services Office Undersecretary Rowena Niña Taduran expressed her optimism on the evolving collaboration efforts, especially in helping the coconut farmers in cooperation with other relevant stakeholders.

“We are very hopeful for this project as we look forward to a fruitful partnership between the DAR and the PCA to help our coconut farmers nationwide. This endeavor will not be possible without PCA Administrator Dr. Dexter Buted, who is as enthusiastic as us about this proposed partnership,” Taduran said.

Project Management Service Director Von Mark Mendoza presented the “Convergence on Coconut Assistance for Industry Development Project (CoCoAID)”, which focuses on coconut stand rehabilitation, replanting, intercropping, and livelihood diversification.

Buted, together with his staff, discussed the various components under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Fund (CFIDF), R.A. 11524, otherwise known as the “Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act” or coconut levy fund.

“PCA has available budget allocated for coconut industry development under the CFITF, including a separate budget under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2024 for PCA projects and operations,” Buted said.

To finalize the project, a DAR-PCA Technical Working Group (TWG) will be formed to create a roadmap, indicative plan, budget requirements, and stakeholder engagement plan, among others.

The Project also involves the Office of Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development (BARBD) headed by Director Eric Arevalo, particularly in profiling ARB Organizations (ARBOs) and the capacity development of its members.

DAR, PCA nagtulungan upang mapabuti ang kalagayan ng mga magniniyog sa mga agrarian reform communities

Nagtulungan ang Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) at ng Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) sa isang proyekto upang mapabuti ang produktibidad, kita, at kakayahan ng mga kalalakihan at kababaihang magniniyog sa loob ng agrarian reform communities (ARC) at ARC clusters ( ARCCs) sa mga piling lalawigan sa anim (6) na rehiyon ng CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, at Caraga.

Ipinahayag ni DAR Support Services Office Undersecretary Rowena Niña Taduran ang kanyang optimismo sa umuusbong na pagsisikap ng pagtutulungan lalo na sa pagtulong sa mga magsasaka ng niyog at pakikipagtulungan sa iba pang mga stakeholder.

“Kami ay lubos na umaasa para sa proyektong ito dahil nakikita namin ang isang mabungang pakikipagtulungan sa pagitan ng DAR at ng PCA upang matulungan ang ating mga magniniyog sa buong bansa. Ang pagsisikap na ito ay hindi magiging posible kung wala si PCA Administrator Dr. Dexter Buted, na kasing sigla namin para sa panukalang pakikipagtulungang ito,” ani Taduran.

Iniulat ni Project Management Service Director Von Mark Mendoza ang “Convergence on Coconut Assistance for Industry Development Project (CoCoAID)”, na nakatutok sa rehabilitasyon ng coconut, replanting, intercropping, at livelihood diversification.

Tinalakay ni Buted, kasama ang kanyang mga tauhan, ang iba’t ibang bahagi sa ilalim ng Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Fund (CFIDF), R.A. 11524, o mas kilala bilang “Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act” o coconut levy fund.

“Ang PCA ay may magagamit na badyet na inilaan para sa pagpapaunlad ng industriya ng niyog sa ilalim ng CFITF, kabilang ang isang hiwalay na badyet sa ilalim ng General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2024 para sa mga proyekto at operasyon ng PCA,” ani Bued.

Upang matupad ang proyekto, isang DAR-PCA Technical Working Group (TWG) ang bubuoin upang lumikha ng isang roadmap, indicative plan, budget requirements, at stakeholder engagement plan, bukod sa iba pa.

Kasama rin sa Proyekto ang Opisina ng Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development (BARBD) na pinamumunuan ni Direktor Eric Arevalo, partikular na sa pag-profile ng mga ARB Organizations (ARBOs) at para sa pagpapa-unlad ng kapasidad ng mga miyembro nito.