Peasant groups Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and Coco Levy Fund Ibalik sa Amin (CLAIM) on Tuesday has called on the leadership of Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) not to compromise the return of coco levy fund to farmers amidst the existing row at the agency.
PCA chief Avelino Andal is presently accused of corruption for allegedly extorting P1.50 per board foot of trees being cut in the provinces of Quezon, Mindoro,Basilan, and Marinduque.
The Governing Board of PCA passed Resolution No. 027-2017 last week imposing preventive suspension on Andal pending investigation over the alleged corruption.
“We need a solid assurance from the Duterte government that the coco levy fund is intact, secured and safeguarded and will be returned to coconut farmers,” said CLAIM convenor Jonathan Moico in a statement Tuesday.
Moico pointed out that the coconut farmers “do not know about politics and individual interests” within the PCA governing board.
“All we want is to make clear our position that no entity should dip its hands on the PHP 75-billion coco levy fund,” he stressed, adding that many parties are interested on the multibillion fund.
The peasant groups also recognized the consultations with coconut farmers’ organizations being conducted by the PCA since January of this year.
The consultations, they added, are in preparation for the National Coconut Farmers Summit with President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The farmers’ organizations have expressed positions asserting that the coco levy fund should be returned to coconut farmers and rejected efforts of some quarters pushing for the privatization of the coco levy fund,” Moico said.
He added that farmers’ groups reached an agreement for the declaration of the coco levy fund as a Genuine Small Coconut Farmers Trust Fund and the creation of a Small Coconut Farmers Council that will manage the fund.
“Coconut farmers are the rightful owners and beneficiaries of the coco levy fund. Coconut farmers have clear proposals on the return and utilization of the coco levy fund. The PCA or even Malacanang do not have the right to make their own decisions on how the fund shall be utilized,” he emphasized.
The groups said they will continue their strong nationwide efforts to demand the return of the coco fund.
Andal on Tuesday downplayed allegations of corruption, adding that he would continue to assume his duties and functions despite the issuance of board resolution for his preventive suspension.
The resolution, he said, did not follow procedural due process as it has yet to be confirmed during the PCA board regular meeting.
The PCA board regular meeting is set on March 22, Wednesday.
