It has been two years since the Aquino administration got hold of some P71 billion of the coco levy fund. Unfortunately, until now nothing has been done to make use of the money for the benefit of their real owners, the millions of small coconut farmers who were victims of the coco levy scam—adding another two years to the decades they have spent waiting for the benefits they can so well derive from the fund. Yes, the cash is with the National Treasury and UCPB, supposedly earning interest, but the government has opted to stay hush-hush on the matter.
This has led the Kilus Magniniyog, a coalition of nine farmer federations, to stage the KM71 March from Davao to Malacañang: 71 coconut farmers walking for 71 days to push for the use of coconut farmers’ P71-billion trust fund for the benefit of the victims of the coco levy scam during the martial law period. The 1,750-kilometer march is meant to generate public support and, together with an appeal to President Aquino, to persuade him to issue an executive order creating the Coco Farmers’ Trust Fund and certify the same for urgent passage through the 16th Congress.
Last Sept. 21, the anniversary of martial law, the 71 coconut farmers began their march to Malacañang from Davao. They have crossed the Visayan region since then. They are currently heading to the Bicol region. In the course of their journey, several civilians have extended active support, offering the marchers food, even personally handing over financial donations. Clearly, this initiative of the farmers has not been left unnoticed and is well-understood by those they encounter. Their sacrifices so far have been worth it; they were able to share information on the issue of the coco levy scam and to explain the possible interventions that could directly improve their lives and the coconut industry. KM71 contends that the coconut levy, a contribution of the coconut farming communities, should be used only for programs that would directly benefit the coconut industry and farmers. Funding for any other element in the coconut industry development roadmap that does not directly affect the farms and livelihood of the farmers need to be taken from General Appropriations Act—an obligation the government owes to the No. 1 dollar-earning agricrop.
Although ordinary citizens that the KM71 marchers meet along the way relate with the cause, still it is imperative that the voice of the man at the top of the totem pole of power—President Aquino—be heard. But not a peep has been heard from him with regard to the coconut levies and the recovery efforts. If only he had already done otherwise, then there would be no need for the farmers to stage such a gruelling march and sacrifice themselves just so they would hear that speak for their cause.
—VADESHNA SURIO,
program officer,
Coconut Industry Reform Movement,
coir_inc@yahoo.com