Marcos orders DA to fast-track programs for coconut farmers

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Agriculture (DA) to fast-track the programs for coconut farmers following a meeting with the officials of the agency in Malacanang on Monday.

During a Laging Handa briefing on Tuesday, DA Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista said that Marcos wants the DA to hasten the projects for the 3.5 million coconut farmers in the country.

"We are directed to fast-track the implementation of all the programs that will benefit the coconut farmers whether this will be in partnership with different agencies, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)," Evangelista said.

Evangelista added that among the programs identified for the coconut farmers is the scholarship grant for their dependents.

"We have programs as far as value adding, we are also looking at shared facilities for our coconut farmers," she added.

Source: TheManila Times