Coconut farmers holds a placard as a sign of protest with regards to Coco Levy funds.
The group “Kilos Magniniyog” is planning a dialogue with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte regarding the controversial Coco Levy fund.
This, following the incoming administration’s intention to study the possibility of returning the fund to the coconut farmers.
According to Kilos Magniniyog convenor, Ed Mora, the issue would definitely be a big challenge to the Duterte administration.
“First of all, it is the obligation of incoming president Duterte to return the Coco Levy fund to the coconut farmers. But personally, I believe that it is not that easy. You cannot just tell your consultant to distribute the fund without the proper formula because it would lead to bigger problems or conflict with coconut farmers,” Mora explained.
Nevertheless, the coconut farmers are determined to prioritize the passing of a bill in order to create a trust fund.
“What’s good in the Coco Levy issue is that both Houses of Congress must approve a law because the EO that Pres. Aquino has issued emphasizes privatization and utilization is just secondary,” Mora added.
The bill that seeks to create a trust fund from the Coco Levy collection and assets has already passed the Lower House on June 1.
But despite this, the issue on the implementation of the two executive orders issued by Pres. Aquino in 2015 ordering the privatization of the Coco Levy fund is still pending before the Supreme Court.
For now, incoming chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo is yet to reveal the details regarding the measures that the incoming administration would take with regard to the issue of returning Coco Levy funds to coconut farmers.
(NEL MARIBOJOC/UNTV NEWS)
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