DA hails Vi's support for coco industry

MANILA, Philippines – Agriculture Undersecretary Jess Paras has cited Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto for her all-out support to the Philippine Coconut Authority, organizer of the 23rd National Coconut Week which was held recently at the SM Mega Mall Mega Trade Hall.

In that forum, Paras gave a report on the coconut industry’s current situation and its outlook on behalf of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap. Taking note of the audience’s passionate reaction to Santos-Recto’s presence, Paras said the lady governor would be a superb endorser of the coconut industry.

For her part, Santos-Recto pledged her full support to the PCA and its programs for coconut farmers. The Batangas lady governor hailed the “tree of life” and reiterated her stand to eradicate illegal coco lumber trade in Batangas.

According to Paras, with the emergence of new processing technologies, and influenced by changing market demands, the Filipino coconut industry and its 3.35 million hectares of production areas produce at least 39 products for both domestic and foreign consumers.

“Development program for the sector, through the PCA, will continue to employ biotechnology, integrated crop management, various product diversification systems, and trade and market development initiatives to expand trade and increase production,” Paras said.