{"id":24442,"date":"2026-06-01T16:19:54","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T08:19:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pcaf.da.gov.ph\/?p=24442"},"modified":"2026-06-01T16:19:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T08:19:54","slug":"nsc-on-coconut-pushes-full-access-to-special-fund-explores-trade-expansions-in-q2-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pcaf.da.gov.ph\/index.php\/2026\/06\/01\/nsc-on-coconut-pushes-full-access-to-special-fund-explores-trade-expansions-in-q2-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"NSC on Coconut pushes full access to special fund, explores trade expansions in Q2 meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

The National Sectoral Committee on Coconut (NSC on Coconut) pushed for a resolution requesting that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) grant the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) full access to the special account within the general fund dedicated to trade and market compliance.<\/span><\/p>\n

The request was raised during the Committee\u2019s second-quarter meeting, held via video conference on May 28, 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the meeting, the private sector-partners highlighted that full access aims to ensure Philippine coconut products remain competitive and compliant with increasingly strict global standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Enacted in 2021, Republic Act (RA) No. 11524 established the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund as a sustainable, 50-year program designed to modernize the sector and uplift marginalized farmers. The Law authorizes the utilization of coco levy funds through the conversion of recovered assets, creating a dedicated financial resource that operates independently from the PCA\u2019s regular budget appropriations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This specialized fund allows the PCA to focus specifically on trade promotion and market expansion as part of a broader industry development strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Committee also raised technical inquiries regarding the efficiency of the salt fertilization program, noting that the allocated PhP153 million covers only a limited number of trees.<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Legislative Liaison Office provided updates on House Bills concerning coconut oil mills and value-adding facilities, as well as information dissemination efforts regarding the Biofuels Act and related policies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Aside from PCA, the DA\u2019s Agricultural Training Institute and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization shared their respective plans to strengthen technical support, training programs, and infrastructure for coconut farmers and cooperatives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regional sectoral representatives from the Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs) shared industry-related concerns, some of which were addressed during the session.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The NSC reported promising developments in foreign aid, citing active funding support from two international governments. To capitalize on these opportunities, the Committee moved to:<\/span><\/p>\n