GMA: Levy funds back to coco farmers next week

SURIGAO CITY — President Arroyo told a Surigao crowd yesterday that the controversial coco levy funds may now be returned to coconut farmers anytime next week saying the funds actually belong to the coconut farmers.

The Chief Executive made the announcement yesterday afternoon in her speech before the inauguration of the P27M world class-passenger terminal at the Port of Surigao here where coconut farmers were also present.

Arroyo also pushed for agriculture and fisheries modernization as she pledged to pour additional funds for the construction of farm to market roads in Surigao del Norte. Citing great potential of Surigao del Norte as an area for coconut plantation, the President also cited Surigao del Norte as a "tourism hub" as home of perfect waves in Asia and as "gateway to Mindanao."

The President also wanted to open the Cebu-Bohol-Siargao air and sea route package because of its huge tourism potentials.

President Arroyo was with Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr. and some 18 Cabinet members who flew in from Biliran, Leyte to this city almost noon yesterday.

The President broke protocol when for the first time she and the Vice President joined together in a provincial sorty outside Malacañang Palace.

Cabinet members, the Vice President and the Chief Executive herself joined the joint Caraga Regional Development Council and the Regional Peace and Order meeting for almost two hours at the Provincial Government Center here. The group then proceeded to inaugurate the San Juan Bridge in Barangay Sabang this city before proceeding to the inaugurate the P27 million Port Terminal. – Ben Serrano