The provincial government here has partnered with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in launching coordinated programs to promote the local industry.

In an interview on Tuesday, Dr. Rod Bautista, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) head, said the partnership with concerned national government agencies (NGAs) will streamline efforts in strengthening sustainable and innovative farming systems.

The OPAg and PCA started planting more than 4,000 coconut trees last month under the Coconut Industry Revitalization Project.

“This is part of our campaign for the massive planting of coconut in the province. Likewise, the PCA also has a target to plant 100 million coconuts, so we also want to be part of their project,” Bautista said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the PCA last year to plant 100 million coconut trees from 2023 to 2028 under the Coconut Planting and Replanting Project.

As part of their partnership, the provincial government donated a 10-hectare property in San Juan town, which is expected to provide additional livelihood for residents.

Bautista said the lot where hybrid and dwarf coconuts are being planted may be expanded up to 30 hectares.

The OPAg also took part in another tree planting ceremony at the Coconut Research and Demo Farm Launch in Tanauan City last week.

Governor Hermilando Mandanas said the tree planting activities are an integral part of providing a stable future for Batangueños.

“With the help of the PCA and the local government, we believe we will achieve a more prosperous and vibrant coconut industry in our province,” he said.

Mandanas said there are more valuable partnerships he discussed with DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel last month to strengthen infrastructure projects to benefit the agriculture sector.

Bautista said the DA is looking to launch an agri-marine industrial port in the province next year which is regarded as a “complete agricultural port.”

Said project will also be coordinated with the provincial government’s Deep-Sea Fish Ports and Regional Food Terminal project.

These projects aim to improve the storage and distribution of basic products such as sugar, molasses, grains, rice and fertilizer.

Meanwhile, OPAg is already finalizing the PHP10,000 financial assistance to be distributed this month to more than 2,000 farmers, as well as the fertilizer and pesticide distribution.

“These are our recovery efforts of farmers during the El Niño season for their replanting activities. We are encouraging our local farmers to reach out to our office so we can provide them with proper technology, pest management, and other important services to aid them as the rainy season begins,” Bautista said. (PNA)