Davao Oriental goes coco rehab
by Mai Gevera and DXHM
Davao City (12 October) -- Coconut farmers from the municipalities of Lupon, Manay, and Mati, all from the province of Davao Oriental, can benefit from the coconut rehabilitation program that the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is currently undertaking this according to PCA-Davao Oriental Provincial Administrator Mr. Joneltio Vicente.
"This is an initiative of Legazpi Oil Company, and PCA is giving the necessary technical assistance to the endeavor", Vicente explained.
Under the rehabilitation program, Legazpi Oil Company will provide fertilizers to the coconut farmers.
In due time, products of the farmer beneficiaries will be delivered to the said company.
However, only the said three municipalities can benefit from the rehabilitation because only those with direct copra market were chosen.
And in Davao Oriental, Lupon, Manay, and Mati have direct copra market.
With this project taking into place, PCA-Davao Oriental is to submit the list of farmer beneficiaries for the project.
The agency is now waiting for the Memorandum of Agreement with Legazpi Oil for the rehabilitation project.
Vicente also reported that PCA-Davao Oriental staff would meet to discuss the threat of the pest "Prontista Longgisima", now starting to penetrate the country. The said pest is a threat because it will cause death of coconut trees.
The Administrator further explained that Prontista Longgisima will attack the leaves of coconut, and once the tree will be swooned by the pest, it will succumb to the pest. Ornamental palm is said to be the carrier of the menacing pest. (PIA XI) [top]
