Surigao del Sur --- A total of 175 farmers from three municipalities in Surigao del Sur received financial aid amounting to a total of ₱764,600 from the Philippine Coconut Authority-CARAGA (PCA-CARAGA) on August 24 and on September 3, 2020.

AID TO COCOFARMERS. Financial assistance to support the coconut farmers in Surigao Del Sur. Distribution activity to Indigenous People (IPs) under IPOP 2017 in Zone 3, Municipality of Lanuza (Top picture). Coconut farmers from Municipality of Carmen and Madrid received financial assistance under PCPP 2019 (Bottom).

On August 24, 2020, 29 Indigenous People (IPs) coconut farmers received assistance as part of PCA’s Indigenous People Outreach Program (IPOP). The said project is to encourage the IPs to preserve and develop their ancestral domain by participating in coconut development programs. The activity was also attended by the Municipal Agriculturist Officer, Marin Camatcho and the Zone 3 Brgy. Captain, Hon. Orillaneda, together with PCA regional and provincial staff.

On another distribution activity on September 3, 2020, 146 coconut farmers in sitios/barangays of municipalities of Carmen and Madrid has benefitted also from the financial support as part of the Participatory Coconut Planting and Replanting Program (PCPP) of PCA. The said distribution was part of the continuing 2019 PCPP, one of the vital program components which aims to encourage more farmers to plant coconuts. The activity was graced with the presence of the municipal mayor of Madrid, Hon. Mary Grace Y. Kimura; Brgy. Captain, Hon. Jesus B. Arsolon Jr; SB member, Hon. Tanie Quillano and Brgy captain, Hon. Adelin Illigan.

“Despite the crisis that we are facing today, the agency will continue its implementation of its projects and programs to help our farmers fully develop their coconut farms,” Oclarit said. ### (PCA CARAGA)