Phl Coconut Authority to push for the production of coco sap sugar

LEGAZPI CITY, Mar 14 (PIA) -- The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), together with the Coconut Industry Reform (COIR) Movement Inc., the Bicol Coconut Commodity Board, and the Small Coconut Farmers organizations will be holding the Local Coconut Industry Development Council (LCIDC) Regional Consultative Meeting today March 13 at the Charisma Restaurant in San Rafael, Guinobatan Albay.

Eduardo Allorde, PCA OIC regional manager, said that the said consultation will facilitate the active participation of all industry stakeholders in the development of the coconut industry in the Bicol region including the production of coconut sap sugar from coconut flowers.

About 60 representatives from various sectors in the region including civil society groups, local government units (LGUs), regional managers and coconut farmer’s organizations are expected to take part in the consultation, Allorde added.

The activity will begin with an update on the Cadang-cadang Disease Containment and Rehabilitation Program to be discussed by Dr. Maria Rodriguez, Chief III of the Virology-Biochemistry Division of the PCA Albay Research Center. Under this program, PCA aims to eliminate the disease which is infesting the coconut trees in various parts of the region causing tremendous loss in the coconut industry.After this, Euclides G. Forbes, Administrator of PCA Diliman will discuss the Current State of the National Coconut Industry.

Participants will likewise be informed and updated on the programs and projects of the PCA in the region through PCA OIC Allorde. Along with him is Jose Marie Faustino, Executive Director of the COIR Inc., for a discussion on the Coconut Development projects initiated by government and private agencies.

The update on the Coco Levy Fund and how it can be maximized for the development of the coconut industry in the region will be among the highlights of the said consultation, Allorde said.

To date, PCA intends to be aggressive in the production of coconut sap (coco) sugar in the country which, according to studies conducted by the Department of Agriculture, is a better and healthier alternative to refined sugar because of its low glycemic content, meaning it is healthy particularly for those who are diabetics.

Currently the Calabanga Coconut Sap Industry in Camarines Sur is the only registered coco industry in the region but there are also household-based producers that are not yet registered but are contributing to the development of the said industry in the region, Allorde added. (MAL/SAA-PIA V/ALbay)