PCA hits wrong data of farmers

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Administrator Oscar Garin recently “condemned” the data issued by a farmers’ group that had previously called for an investigation into supposed irregularities in the agency’s P1.89-billion salt fertilization program.

In a telephone interview, Garin vehemently debunked the claims of the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) and clarified the “erroneous” and “malicious” information propagated by the group headed by former Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary Leonardo Montemayor.

“I really condemn that data presented by Montemayor because he or his data made us, the PCA, look bad,” Garin told The STAR. “Maybe he erroneously or even intentionally erroneously collected the data about the project.”

Garin said that first, no bidding was ever conducted for the P1.89-billion salt supply project of the PCA because bidding was only made for the P80-million portion of the total project, which has the certification of fund availability from the Coconut Industry Investment Fund-Oil Mills Group (CIIF-OMG).

He explained that the PCA embarked on a general plan for a four-year copra production program, which will run from 2008-2011, in order to recover lost production due to calamities and secure supply needs for domestic and international markets and biofuel requirements.

He said that the P1.89 billion is anticipated to produce an additional 270,000 metric tons of copra for 2009, which is estimated to have a value of P6.75 billion.

“The amount of money was wrongly identified. There is no such money,” Garin said. “Actually, our hope is if we can find a funding agency like CIIF, or DA, or from congressmen’s country development fund in order to realize this project.”

“It was wrong information. There was no certification of fund availability from the PCA because the money was not with us, only the funding agency can issue certification of fund availability. (In this case) the P80 million was placed for bidding for the salt fertilization project, but the money is with CIIF not with PCA. We just come up with the program and implement the project but we do not hold the money,” he said.

Garin likewise refuted claims by Montemayor that PCA estimated salt fertilization cost at P3,000 per hectare, which was “too big” and “likely overpriced.” He said that per hectare, the PCA’s salt fertilization cost would only be around P1,200 to P1,400.

He even said that the bid price for a kilo of salt was P6, and not P25, as indicated in other reports. Moreover, Garin said that the salt would not necessarily be bought from China even if the winning bidder was a Chinese company, which he identified as ARVIN International Marketing Inc., whose business address is said to be at 168 Suerte St., Pasay City.

Garin said that the salt could be obtained locally, if local produce passes quality requirements like purity, water content, and volume supplies; or from other salt-producing countries like Australia.

However, he pointed out, salt production in the country could fall short of the volume requirements due to erratic weather patterns in the Philippines.

“All legal procedures were observed here. This is aboveboard. But I should also be thankful to Montemayor for creating a stir over this project. Maybe now, we’ll be able to get the attention of the President, or other funding agencies like the DA or congressmen,” he said.

Aside from the 270,000-metric ton copra production for 2009, the PCA’s four-year program anticipates production of more than 3 million metric tons of copra in 2010, and over 3.5 million metric tons of copra by 2011.

Funding requirements for the projected increased copra production by 2010 and 2011 are estimated at P2.59 billion per year, while some P700 million is needed for increased production for 2012.

The production scheme shall involve 1.35 million hectares with a yearly increment of 25 percent equivalent to 200 kilograms of additional copra per hectare. The project is also expected to generate 1.35 million jobs.