The Agricultural Training Institute, Regional Training, Center (ATI-RTC) V-Bicol, San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur, as one of the implementing agencies of the Coconut Farmer’s Industry Development Plan CFIDP), had conducted the Information Caravan on CFIDP on September 7, 2022 at the Provincial Agriculture Multi-Purpose Training Center with the theme aptly dubbed “Masagana, Matatag, At Progresibong Industrya Ng Niyog SA Bansa” (Prosperous, Resilient, And Progressive Philippine Coconut Industry).
The whole day activity drew a total of 51 participants from the different Coconut Farmer’s Association from the 11 municipalities and representatives from national government agencies, banking institutions, provincial and local government units.
The information caravan aims the stakeholders to be familiarized with the different agencies involved in the implementation of the program; know the different programs and services they will provide, and be familiarized with what to do and where to go to able to avail of the programs. Resource persons and/ or representatives from the implementing agencies of the CFIDP which include the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA); ATI -RTC Region 5 ; Department of Agriculture, ; Landbank of the Philippines; Development Bank of the Philippines, Technical Skills Development Authority, Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Science and Technology, PHilhealth, National Dairy Authority, Cooperative Development Authority, PLGU and LGUs.
Republic Act 11524 known as Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) Act which created the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan was signed on February 26, 2021. The program seeks to (1) Increase the productivity and income of coconut farmers ‘; (2) Poverty alleviation, education, and social equity; and Rehabilitation and modernization of the coconut industry toward farm productivity. The CFITF share be maintained for 50 years and used for the coconut farmers’ benefit and the coconut industry’s development.
Comprehensively, the national program component of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan includes the following; (1) Social Protection— Health and Medical Program; (2) Coconut Farmers Organization and Development; (3) Hybridization– Operations and Research; (4) Community -Based Farm Enterprises Development: Farm Rehabilitation and Improvement — Intercropping (Coffee and Cacao); Livestock and Poultry Integration (Native Animals); Dairy Integration; (5) Integrated Coconut Processing and Downstream Products ( Shared Facilities); (6) Innovative Research Projects and their Practical Application on Coconut Processing, Production, and Distribution; and (7) Support Services– Credit, Research, Marketing and Market Promotion; Infrastructure; Policies and Regulation.
On health and medical program (P’CA, PHilhealth) the services include inpatient benefits, outpatient, KonSulTa (Primary Care, Z Benefit and all other future benefits.
Criteria for Eligibility are: @NCFRS-registerd coconut farmers who are not listed as direct or indirect members of PHilhealth @Priority farmer-beneficiaries— the coconut farm workers, followed by the tenants, and lastly, the owner-operators (55-59 years old).
The following are the qualified dependents of a. principal member under the PHilhealth Insurance Program; —legal spouse who is not working; children who are 20 years old and below; children who are 21 years old and above but suffering from congenital disability or any disability acquired that renders them totally dependent on the member for support; and parents with permanent disability regardless of age that renders them totally dependent on the member for subsistence.
ATI-RTC V-Bicol entourage include: Mr. Alvin N. Trespeces, Division Chief I, PCA Albay- Catanduanes Provincial Office –Opening Remarks and Introduction of Partipants; Ms. Elsa A. Parrot, Center Director, ATI–Opening Message; Mr. Mateo B. Zipagan, Regional Manager –PCA-V—Inspirational Message; Dr. Joey A. Belarmino, CFIDP Focal Person —Overview of the Activity; Ms. Emily A. Lobo’s, PDO IV, PCA-V—CFIDP Program . Resource persons include Mr. Ophar Dy –CDA Specialist Officer; Mr. Arcangel Rodriguez –PD TESDA- Catanduanes, Mr. Corporal– from PhilMech and representative from DBP—Region 5 and National Dairy Administration, respectively.
