With 69 percent of the P1.8-billion proposed budget for the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Sen. Cynthia A. Villar is hopeful that it would help increase the income of coconut farmers, who earn a measly P1,500 a month, and to support the developmental activities of the agency.
“That’s why we are going now to plenary. We can be proud of the budget. 69% will be given as projects for farmers,” stressed Villar who presided over the hearing of the proposed budget of PCA, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture.
Villar, chair of the Senate agriculture and food committee, had initially asked the PCA to allocate P900 million funds for the projects of farmers from the P1.8 billin budget for each agency.
She cited instances when the overhead expense exceed the cost of projects for the farmers.
“We are asking them to give more to the coconut farmers becausd they are the poorest in this country,” said Villar.
On the average, she noted that coconut farmers earn only P1,500 a month and the solution to their problem is the processing.
