TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte — Joining a nationwide effort to revitalize the country’s coconut industry, the Philippine Coconut Authority in Eastern Visayas (PCA-8) spearheaded a regionwide simultaneous planting initiative on Friday, putting over 1,000 coconut seedlings into the ground across key agricultural sites.
Scaling Up to 128,000 Seedlings in Three Months
The regional event serves as the launchpad for an aggressive three-month campaign. PCA-8 aims to distribute and plant 128,000 coconut seedlings across Eastern Visayas to modernize local groves and safeguard farmer livelihoods.
The multi-sectoral initiative tackles critical challenges in the coconut sector through targeted goals:
Replacing Unproductive Palms: Phasing out aging, low-yield coconut trees with high-quality seedlings.
Expanding Supply Base: Increasing raw coconut production to meet growing domestic and international market demands.
Enhancing Farmer Livelihoods: Ensuring long-term economic stability and higher income returns for local farming families.
Multi-Agency Support for Sustainable Growth
Recognizing that long-term tree survival depends on continuous field care, PCA-8 mobilized a broad coalition of local stakeholders to assist with planting, tracking, and maintenance. Participating groups included:
Local Coconut Farmers Organizations
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)
Philippine National Police (PNP)
Local Government Units (LGUs) and student volunteers
By combining direct community participation with institutional oversight, PCA-8 aims to turn this regional planting drive into a sustainable, long-term economic investment for agricultural communities across Eastern Visayas.
