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The National Sectoral Committee (NSC) on Coconut held its second quarter meeting virtually on June 4, 2025, during which the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) reported on the actions it has taken in response to previously adopted policy resolutions and recommendations of the committee.<\/span><\/p>\n Among the key updates was the implementation of PCA Board Resolution No. 015-2025, extending the accreditation validity of Coconut Farmer Organizations (CFOs) from one (1) year to three (3) years. This move was in line with a prior recommendation from the NSC on Coconut, aimed at improving organizational sustainability and supporting farmer participation in PCA programs, including the nationwide planting of 100 million coconut trees by 2028.<\/span><\/p>\n To strengthen implementation, the PCA shared that participating farmers must undergo land verification and documentation by PCA agriculturists and be assessed using the standard Farmers Interest and Suitability Survey, also in line with the guidelines of Memorandum Circular No. 04, Series of 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n The NSC on Coconut Policy Resolution No. 01, Series of 2025, which advocates for stronger enforcement against illegal coconut tree cutting through the establishment of a hotline, was also acknowledged during the meeting. PCA reported its current strategy of collaborating with law enforcement agencies and promptly responding to reports of violations. The PCA further recognized the proposed hotline as a valuable initiative and suggested establishing regional hotlines, rather than a single national one, to facilitate real-time reporting and ensure quicker response times.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI would like to suggest that this [hotline for reporting illegal coconut tree cutting] be done by region, not only a central one. We can provide that, not only a one-for-all hotline, it can be designated by region and down to provinces. We are in support of this resolution and we congratulate the group for coming up with this initiative,\u201d said PCA Administrator Dr. Dexter Buted.<\/span><\/p>\n The NSC also reiterated its earlier proposal to establish a \u201cBantay-Niyog\u201d group\u2014modeled after the successful <\/span>Bantay Dagat<\/span><\/i> Program\u2014to proactively safeguard coconut trees. In response, PCA affirmed its commitment to intensified planting, replanting, and salt fertilization programs, with a Php2.8 billion budget already approved by the Office of the President and awaiting release. An additional Php8.5 million is also under evaluation for FY 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n Addressing the NSC\u2019s recommendation for more accessible farmer support mechanisms, the PCA acknowledged the suggestion to consider adapting the Department of Social Welfare and Development\u2019s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program model to benefit coconut farmers through direct assistance.<\/span><\/p>\n The committee also raised concerns about the complexity of securing permits to cut senile coconut trees. PCA responded by reiterating provisions under Republic Act No. 8048, or the Coconut Preservation Act, which prohibits the cutting of trees except under specific allowable conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n To improve transparency and monitoring, the NSC recommended including a report on the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) in the next committee meeting. PCA agreed, emphasizing that this will help provide updates on the utilization of the coco levy fund and the implementation of related programs.<\/span><\/p>\n During the meeting, PCA also presented the 2025\u20132026 outlook for the coconut industry, highlighting both the increasing global demand for coconut oil\u2014partly driven by shifts in palm oil usage\u2014and key industry challenges, including low productivity, underutilized levy funds, and weak enforcement.<\/span><\/p>\n The PCA also presented the restructured CFIDP implementation, now extended from 2024 to 2028, and affirmed its role as lead agency. The updated implementation includes streamlined operations and strengthened inter-agency collaboration, aligned with previous recommendations by the NSC.<\/span><\/p>\n In support of future policy reforms, the NSC adopted two new proposed resolutions:<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pcaf.da.gov.ph\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PCA.png\")
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