Coconut industry to draw support from local coconut development councils

By NINFA B QUIRANTE, PIA Samar
December 30, 2011

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  The government agency in charge of developing the coconut industry is eyeing the organization of a local coconut industry development councils (LCIDC) in the barangays to help them enforce coconut regulation laws and develop the coconut industry more.

In today’s PIA radio program “Huruhimangraw ha PIA” Philippine Coconut Authority provincial Manager Emi Acasio urged the local government units to support the organization for the coming year 2012.

“If we have gained support from the provincial level, I hope that the municipal and barangay heads will do the same,” Acasio said on air in an appeal of support.

Acasio said that he has gained an audience with Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan who vowed to create the council in the provincial level.

There are a hundred thousand hectares of coconut in Samar, and the PCA team composed of 11-strong manpower could only hope that the barangay and municipal councils that will be established can help them.

“There is an organized Small Coconut Farmers in every barangay,” said PCA officer Roy Floretes, “But we need a bigger council that can move bigger steps, like the one proposed,” he added.