P38M proposed for upturn of Cebu’s coconut industry

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Coconut Authority-7 has proposed a P38 million budget for the Yolanda recovery and rehabilitation program in 16 local government units in northern Cebu.

 The proposed allocation is part of the P87.3 million proposed budget of PCA-7 for 2016.

 The Provincial Development Council endorsed Wednesday the programs, activities and projects (PAPs) of the PCA to the Central Visayas Regional Development Council for inclusion in its 2016 budget plan.

 The program includes provision of animal breeder stocks to be raised under coconuts with an estimated cost of P20.48 million for 1,820 heads.

 The PCA will also provide fertilizer support to coconut palms which were slightly, moderately and severely affected by the typhoon with an estimated cost of P10.49 million for 1,234 hectares, and provision of planting materials to replace totally damaged trees in the amount of P1.3 million for 200 hectares.

 The PCA will also provide planting materials on various intercrops to be planted under coconuts in the amount of P5.62 million to provide farmers additional income.

 It will also conduct trainings to 29 target sites in northern Cebu.

 The PCA earlier seen the coconut industry in Cebu to incur P294 million in losses this year as a result of typhoon Yolanda.

 It earlier reported that the coconut industry in the province already lost P22.8 million after Yolanda struck northern Cebu on November 8, 2013.

 The PCA reported that a total of 1,411,698 coconut trees were destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda which made up 26 percent of the total number of coconut trees in Cebu while a total of 46,921 coconut farmers were affected.

 More than 50,000 of coconut trees that were damaged were in Daanbantayan.  (FREEMAN)