Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) 2024-2028, aiming to boost productivity, income, and modernization within the coconut industry.
According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos signed Memorandum Circular 84 on May 21, officially approving and adopting the CFIDP 2024-2028. This revised plan, a successor to the CFIDP 2022-2026, was made public on Tuesday. The plan provides a strategic framework for implementing national development programs focused on social protection, capacity building, farmer organization empowerment, infrastructure, and other support programs, all designed to improve the socio-economic conditions of Filipino coconut farmers.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is tasked with leading the implementation of the CFIDP 2024-2028. The directive mandates all national government departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices, including state universities and colleges, government-owned or controlled corporations, and government financial institutions, to support the plan's execution. Local government units (LGUs) are also encouraged to participate actively.
Funding for the CFIDP 2024-2028 will be sourced from the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund, as outlined in Republic Act (RA) 11524, in addition to existing appropriations of relevant government agencies, in compliance with applicable laws.
Following various forums and discussions, the PCA led the preparation of the revised CFIDP. The revisions focus on enhancing coordination among implementing agencies and optimizing strategies for program delivery, aligning with the goals of RA 11524. The revised plan was developed through extensive stakeholder consultations, coordination meetings with implementing agencies under the CFIT Act, and public consultations with farmer groups and coconut farmer leaders.
The updated CFIDP reorganizes the original six national development programs into seven components: Social Protection Programs; Training Program for Coconut Farmers and their Families; Coconut Farmers Organization and Empowerment through Cooperatives; Coconut Hybridization Program; Community-based Farm Enterprise Development; Integrated Coconut Processing and Downstream Products; and Support Service Programs. The training program for coconut farmers and their families was separated from the Social Protection Programs to emphasize its importance as a foundational element in achieving the other program objectives.
