Future brightening up for coconut farmers

Two recent reports brightened up the outlook for Filipino coconut farmers for the near future.

The first was on the study conducted by the Philippine Coconut Society (Kalipunang Tagapagtaguyod ng Pagniniyog sa Pilipinas) on the innovative farmers’ coconut mills, or Farcoms, that the group hopes will replace the “old, dirty technology” of coconut copra-making, to produce instead “fresca,” a white, clean and delicious source of fresh coconut oil, coconut milk flour (CMF) and virgin coconut oil, among other coconut byproducts (“Coconut fresco vs. copra,” Opinion, 12/4/14).

The second was on the Supreme Court’s ruling favoring the Philippine government’s motion for partial entry of judgment (“SC paves way for release of P60B in coco levy funds,” Front Page, 12/11/14).

Every Filipino concerned with the current state of the Philippine coconut industry considers these two events as unforgettable gifts this Christmas season.

And indeed, “Good things come in threes.” A third one seems inevitable: an executive order detailing how coconut farmers will benefit from the coco levy fund. Secretary Kiko Pangilinan will definitely be a busy guy in welcoming 2015.

—CLARO Y. TALAGA,

claro_talaga@yahoo.com