Coconut farmers' presscon on Coco Levy Fund

“Coco Levy Fund, Ituwid Na”!  For the past forty years, the millions of small coconut farmers who contributed to the Coco Levy Fund have never benefitted from the Fund.  Coconut farmers from various parts of the country are now about to complete their 71-day march, hoping that the government heeds their call for a Tuwid na Daan resolution of the coco levy issue.  Support is gaining ground from various farmers’ federations nationwide, civil society organizations, and the religious sector.  Will Malacañang finally listen to them?

Tomorrow, Tuesday 4 November marks the 45^th Day of the Coco March.  Hopefully, President Benigno Aquino will respond positively to the farmers’ clamor for: 

(1)  an Executive Order that will create the Coconut Farmers Trust Fund to effectively and sustainably manage the use of the P71 billion coco levy fund, and

(2) certify as urgent legislation a bill filed as a People’s Initiative in Congress entitled – “A Proposed Act to Spur Rural Development in the Coconut Sector by Establishing a Coconut Farmers’ Trust Fund.” Kilos Magniniyog said that these proposals will ensure that the 3.5 million coconut farming families in the country will finally benefit from the stolen coco levy fund.

The Philippine Farmers Forum, a loose coalition of like-minded national farmer organizations in the country, extends its full support to the initiative and is sponsoring this press briefing

.

WHAT:

Press Conference on the

Government Response to the Call of the Coco March and Solidarity from Philippine Farmers

WHEN:

Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 10AM

WHERE:

Coconut House Restaurant, Quezon City Memorial Circle

For more details, please contact:

 RENATO A. LLORIN                                                                  

Coordinator, PhilFAFO

Mobile 09054568227