I read Jose Osias’ letter titled “Are we still on ‘daang matuwid’?” (Inquirer, 5/27/13) and felt very sorry for Allan Wu whose invention (that could cure diseases currently plaguing coconut trees) the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) shunted aside or ignored due, according to him, to some vested interest inside the PCA itself.
My family has a sizeable parcel of land in Malinao, Aklan, which is idle. Determined to make it productive, last year I contracted some farmers (engaged in selling copra year in, year out) to collect and set aside 200 seedlings each for planting in our land.
So last April, I went to Aklan by bus via Batangas, for a two-week vacation (I could not find feasible accommodation with any airline due to time constraints). Upon arrival, I immediately hired seven persons to do the hauling, digging and planting of the seedlings, all this lasting for only two days.
What I’m worried about is the disease infecting coconuts which could spread to our place and affect my newly planted seedlings. On my way to Aklan, from Calamba (Laguna) to the Batangas Port, I saw that the fronds and leaves of coconut trees lining the highway had turned brownish as if dying from some kind of disease.
Also from an Inquirer report last year, I learned that coconut farmers in Batangas down to the Bicol provinces were complaining about an infestation in coconut trees and urging government to use the controversial coco levy funds to arrest the problem.
If I may seek Osias’ assistance, I would like to know how and where I can get in touch with Wu for the purpose of seeking his advice and/or buying his products so my small investment will not come to naught.
—EUSEBIO YARRA,
eusebioyarra@yahoo.com