PCA seeks full control of coconut levy fund

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is pushing for full control of the coco levy fund, aiming to accelerate priority projects in the coconut sector. PCA administrator and CEO Dexter Buted indicated that the agency intends to oversee all coconut development projects and remove funding allocations to implementing agencies, focusing on projects based on PCA's priority list.

The Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund currently allocates 20% of its budget to bolster production through hybrid farms, 10% for infrastructure projects, another 10% for coconut processing facilities, and funds for farm credit, insurance, research, education, and mechanization. Buted stated that the PCA board will determine priority projects and fund distribution.

A significant priority for the PCA is its large-scale replanting program, designed to replace aging trees and revive production. As part of the Marcos administration's efforts to revive the coconut industry, the Philippines plans to plant about 100 million new trees by 2028. This year, the PCA targets to plant 40 million more trees, bringing the total to approximately 80 million by the end of 2026.

However, Buted noted that the funding for the replanting program falls short, with only about P1 billion allocated for next year. He emphasized that the replanting drive is crucial to boost the Philippines' coconut output, as the country has fallen to third place among global producers, behind India and Indonesia. India currently produces around 20 billion nuts annually, followed by Indonesia with 18 billion and the Philippines with about 14 billion.

To address limited funding, the agency has relied on participatory planting projects, coconut hybridization, partnerships with local governments, and community-led programs. In 2024, the country produced 14.51 million metric tons of coconuts, a slight increase from the 14.5 million metric tons in 2024, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.