Following the lead of other national agencies, the Philippine Coconut Authority Central Visayas (PCA 7) sat down with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to coordinate the programs and projects outlined in their Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan.
Brendan Trasmonte, regional manager of PCA 7, together with other concerned government agencies, met with the governor on Wednesday, April 12, to strategize and draw out plans aligned with the governor's direction for the Province of Cebu.
Trasmonte laid out their planned projects while strategizing with the governor on how to use their funds here by implementing programs that are exactly designed for Cebuano farmers.
She further made suggestions to modify the plan that will align with the Province’s direction for local farmers which PCA happily accepted and will include in their modified development plan.
“Start right so it will continue to evolve,” the governor said, stressing the need for PCA 7 to realign their plans to fully cater to the agricultural capabilities of an island like Cebu.
This development is timely in light of the Capitol initiative to strengthen its agriculture sector and back-to-farming approach through the Enhanced Countryside Development Program.
Moreover, Capitol has the SugBusog program that has now been enhanced with bigger community participation.
In the meeting, PCA discussed some of the components of the development plan that included social protection, hybridization, farm rehabilitation, and integrated coconut processing, among others.
The governor reminded PCA 7 and other agencies to strictly coordinate with the Local Government Units prior to implementing their planned projects here.
Also in attendance were representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) which are all set to assist PCA 7 in their different programs. | Ulrika Wagas