H.B. No. 5745 entitled “An Act Establishing the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Trust Fund and Providing for its Management and Utilization” was recently approved on third reading.

I voted for the measure after the final version of the bill included my following amendments to ensure full protection and benefits to marginalized coconut farmers:

1. The Declaration of Policy should categorically prioritize small coconut farmers with the following provision:

   “It is hereby declared the policy of the State to consolidate the benefits due to coconut farmers, especially the poor and marginalized, under various statutes and the coco levy fund, and to expedite the delivery thereof to attain a balanced, equitable, integrated and sustainable growth and development of the coconut industry.”

2. Without limiting the area being cultivated by the coconut farmer to not more than five (5) hectares, the subject coconut farmer is entitled to direct benefits for being disadvantaged and marginalized.

3. At least P7.5-B of the jumpstart fund shall be used for the social protection programs for the ultimate benefit of coconut farmers and farm workers.

4. The social protection to marginalized and disadvantaged coconut farmers shall include the following:

   1. In addition to tuition fees, the descendants of coconut farmers shall be entitled to monthly stipend, allowance for books and instructional materials and other allied components of a scholarship grant; and

   2. Opening a lending window in a government bank for the extension of concessionary loans of not more than 2.0% per annum exclusively to poor and marginalized coconut farmers and farm workers.

5. In the preparation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan, the Ad Hoc Committee created under the bill is mandated to prepare the Plan consistent with the Philippine Development Plan of 2017-2020 which prioritizes the utilization of the coconut levy trust fund in favor of coconut farmers and farm workers.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN