Apr-Jun 2013, Vol. 4, Issue 2
PHILIPPINE COCONUT AUTHORITY FIELD SERVICES BRANCH COCONUT EXTENSION TRAINING CENTER
IPOP gaining grounds in six regions A bad hair day for coconuts Markets for coffee Mapping the oil palm industry
Indigenous People Outreach Project
W
ords from the Editor
The country’s coconut industry fully recognizes the importance of the indigenous peoples. This is why the Philippine Coconut Authority has formulated the Indigenous People Outreach Project or IPOP. In this issue, we take a look at the IPOP accomplishments in the different regions of the country. We will also give you an update on the PCA’s continuing support to the Typhoon Pablo victims. Let us also understand how Rhinoceros Beetles can spread in typhoon devastated areas and how to prevent their outbreak. We cannot disregard the need to select only the best coconut planting materials. Thus, we deemed it necessary to stress proper selection to ensure high coconut yield. With the oil palm clearly under its mandate, the PCA is now preparing the roadmap for the Philippine Oil Palm Industry. We will look at the existing active oil mills and oil palm areas in the country Indeed, PCA continues to expand and implement projects that will cater to every sector of society.
WHAT’S INSIDE 6
COCO-BASED TECHNOLOGY
FINDING “THE ONE“ IN COCONUT SELECTION
REGIONAL FOCUS
REGION I-IVA: CALABARZON
7 ORGANIC FARMING ECO-FRIENDLY SOAP INSECTICIDE
16 BUSINESS
8
COCO-BASED FARMING SYSTEM
17 INSPIRE ME
FEATURE
18
COVER STORY
20 COCOCIPES
BIO-ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND SALT COMBO
9 10 2
14
MARKETS FOR COFFEE
RHINOCEROS BEETLE DAMAGE
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OUTREACH PROJECT
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THE LURE OF SCAMS
THE JAR OF SEEDS
OIL PALM
MAPPING THE OIL PALM INDUSTRY
MACAPUNO INULOKAN RECIPE
A
bout the Cover
Behind the Scenes
. In a research funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), updated last November 2012, it was found that indigenous peoples are among the poorest and most marginalized sector of society. Thus, like the other government agencies assisting the IPs, PCA extends its hand through its Indigenous People Outreach Project (IPOP). The IPOP provides them the opportunity to have easy access to existing PCA programs. The program will not only help the farmers in the Indigenous communities but also the new generations to come.
Editorial Adviser
ROEL M. ROSALES
Editor in Chief
EDGAR T. BAHALA
Writers/Associate Editors
ARACELI A. LOYOLA ALGERICO M. BOLOS MARIANITA N. EROY RHOIELIZA E. RECLA JONAS AMOR G. SOBREPEÑA
Managing Editor
CARMENCITA L. DE LEON
Layout/Writer/ Production
CATHERINE ROSE B. BENGAN
pca management Administrator
EUCLIDES G. FORBES
Deputy Administrator Field Services Branch
ROEL M. ROSALES
Deputy Administrator Research Development & Extension Branch
CARLOS B. CARPIO
OIC Deputy Administrator Trade & Market Development Branch
LUCITA M. FALCATAN
Deputy Administrator Corporate Services Branch
JAVIER S. TAYAG
COCOSCOPE is published quarterly by the Coconut Extension Training Center (CETC) of the Philippine Coconut Authority, Field Services Branch as a vehicle of information for coconut and oil palm farmers and farmworkers, extension workers, entrepreneurs, and policy makers of the industry. The CETC welcomes articles, manuscripts, artworks and photographs which shall be considered for publication. Please send your contributions to CETC email ad: pcacetc@yahoo.com.ph. Loss or damage, however, of the materials is not the responsibility of COCOSCOPE.
CocoScope Apr-Jun 2013
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updates PCA Trains Agriculturists Anew
COCO SUGAR: A sweet success for MisOr Coop Truly a pride of Misamis Oriental, the Linabu Agrarian Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Lampco) came out as the top grosser during the Market Week Philippines 2012, a trade fair and showground of on-sale world-class items and products. The cooperative formerly had mostly copraproducing members but they shifted to coco sugar production when they realized it was a better source of income. Initially, they faced problems after the switch but they persevered as they were encouraged by the Department of Agrarian Reform 10, which provided the necessary technology and capital to jump start the coco sugar production. Now, the cooperative is hoping to reach a bigger market in this year’s International Food Exhibition (IFEX), which is the country’s largest gathering of international food processors, exporters, producers, and buyers. “It was during our first IFEX participation in 2010 where we were able to close a deal with various coco sugar consolidators in Manila, demanding up to five tons of coco sugar per month,” said Lampco General Manager Maria Virgenia Pejoro. She added that it was indeed a long stretch from their production of at least three kilos per day
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CocoScope Apr-Jun 2013
business.inquirer.net
The PCA’s Coconut Extension Training Center (CETC) has recently completed six batches of Specialized Course on Coconut Agro-technology and Extension Techniques for PCA Agriculturists. Two hundred fifty two (252) newly hired extension workers coming from different regions of the country were trained. PCA-XI Regional Manager Rex Buac told the participants that the CETC is where everything starts for their extension careers. “Hindi naman dito humihinto ang With their bags of salt and tools on hand, trainees line up to apply what they learning process, marami din naman learned on the field kayong matutunan sa field,”(Your learning As PCA continues to bring changes within the process doesn’t end here. You will also learn organization, the management also hopes that the new a lot in the field. ) he said. agriculturists will bring about changes in the industry Deputy Administrator for Field that can benefit the coconut farmers. Services Branch, Roel M. Rosales challenged the participants to offer their loyalty and dedication not only to PCA but also to the small coconut farmers, who are their main clients. He added, “This is an opportunity for you to make a difference in the lives of ordinary people and touch the lives of the poor and the marginalized.”
Maria Virgenia Pejora standing beside their coop’s highly regarded coco sugar product. when they first started. “We are currently producing at least 10 tons per month, and we are thrilled by this increased demand for healthy and organic products,” Pejoro said. Lampco’s coco sugar has an organic certification from ECOCERT SA, is carbon neutral certified, and FDA-approved. To add to their growing success, Lampco’s coco sugar has already reached Japan and the United States. This is a strong indication that Mindanao is reaffirming its position as the country’s food basket and the leading food processing hub in the country. Both in the local and international markets, the main selling point of coco sugar is its low glycemic index (35) which makes the release of glucose to the bloodstream slower than the typical cane sugar. This makes coco sugar the best sugar for the diabetics.
Source: www.sunstar.com.ph business.inquirer.net
DA, PCA work hand in hand for Typhoon Pablo victims The Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Coconut Authority launched a two week training entitled “Training of Farmers and Technicians for the Production and Utilization of Biological Control Agents and Organic Fertilizer.” These trainings were conducted in three typhoon stricken municipalities of Davao Oriental particularly Cateel, Boston and Baganga. DA officers stressed the need to practice organic farming under the Organic Act of 2010 to address chemical spraying, which significantly harms people’s health and the environment. “This act is not for the President, not for Secretary Alcala but for all of us,” said Percy Basil Prosiano, DA officer. The agency also reminded the participants to stop burning trees as this also harms the environment and worsens the effect of typhoons. In addition, the Department called for the establishment of a local governing board to monitor and facilitate the proper compliance to the act. Likewise, PCA-XI, CETC and DRC trained the coconut farmers on Rhinoceros Beetle control, including such measures as production and use of
Participants from Cateel carefully observe the steps on how to mass produce the Green Muscardine Fungus (GMF)
Green Muscardine Fungus (GMF) and Pheromone trap installation. The participants visited damaged coconut areas to see the possible breeding sites of Rhino beetles. As the coconut debris rot after six months, the trainers stressed the importance of acting early to prevent infestation.
DavOr Gov. Malanyaon grateful to PCA Davao Oriental Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon visited the PCA Southern Mindanao Region XI office to personally thank Administrator Euclides G. Forbes and PCA Governing Board members Cesar C. Villariba Jr., Marcos M. Dumandaan and Rafael P. Sarucam, for the agency’s immediate response to the needs of her province. Despite the damage caused by typhoon Pablo to their coconut areas, Governor Malanyaon still wants Davao Oriental to be a leading coconut producing province. She also revealed her plan to maximize the spaces not hit by Typhoon Pablo in the province by planting oil palm. Oil palm is an attractive industry due to the growing number of investors in the Philippines. Governor Malanyaon cited the Indonesian food unit of First Pacific Co. Ltd. as a possible investor. The company plans to establish a 30,000-hectare oil palm plantation in Mindanao, eyeing Davao Oriental as a potential site. “It’s not about doing away with coconuts. The oil palm’s short gestation period will compensate for the yet unproductive years of our newly-planted and rehabilitated coconut farms,” Governor Malanyaon said. To strengthen the rehabilitation efforts of the province, Admin Forbes signed the MOA to transfer
“It’s not about doing away with coconuts. The oil palm’s short gestation period will compensate for the yet unproductive years of our newly-planted and rehabilitated coconut farms,” and ship the Coir/Coconut Fiberboard Facility from the PCA-Zamboanga Research Center to the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental. Furthermore, OIC Rex Buac revealed that PCA Region XI will establish “Bantay-Dangan” teams in Typhoon Pablo devastated areas of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. The “Bantay-Dangan” is a community-based management of pests where farmers themselves are the pest scouts in their respective areas. To further mobilize the community, a bounty system will also be launched. For every adult beetle collected, P1.00 will be paid and for the larva, P0.50. The orientation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) trainers and the launching of the bounty system are scheduled on July 16-19, 2013 in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley and Baganga, Davao Oriental.
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coco-based technology
Finding The One in Coconut Selection In coconut, strict and proper selection passes through four different stages as shown below: 1. PLANTATION BLOCK SELECTION “Collect and select” is one of the many love
infestation and disease
advices you will hear when searching for The One. We accept
- divide it into blocks of 50X50 m.
the fact that we will encounter more frogs before our prince
- blocks containing bearing palms with at least
or princess appears.
But isn’t it tedious and time consuming when all we
go for is quantity instead of quality? Why not choose quality from the start?
This is also true when searching for the right
coconuts to plant.
Selecting the best quality planting materials is the
foremost consideration in any coconut planting/replanting efforts. Traditional coconut farmers are known to get their seednuts and seedlings from just any coconut palm without
80 nuts/tree annually or 2.0 tons copra/ha yearly is a high yielding block - in each high yielding block , choose only 10% of the population as mother palms.
2. MOTHER PALM SELECTION - tall variety: tall-prominent bole, tall stature with robust stand and have nuts of mixed colors of either greens, yellows, red in a population - dwarf variety: no boles with short and slender trunk and have nuts of pure colors only in a population
proper selection. But, research says, that we cannot do this
- bears at least 8 nuts/bunch
in coconut which takes years before giving us their nuts.
- have closely-spaced leaf scars with at least 30-40
Farmers need to properly select their coconut planting materials.
Proper selection determines the future productivity
green leaves and free from pest and diseases
3. SEEDNUT SELECTION
of the coconut palms which usually spans decades. If done
- possesses variety- specific traits
carefully, selection alone will likely give 10% improvement
- physiologically mature (nut gives a sloshing sound
in future productivity.
Selection is the preferential elimination of individuals
with certain genotypes/phenotypes by means of natural or artificial controlling factors i.e. traits or characters as criteria.
In PCA’s Accelerated Coconut Planting and
Replanting Program (ACPRP), the assigned Coconut Development Officer (CDO) in a given locality is expected to inspect and certify the farms of the winning seednut supplier.
The knowledge and skill in estimating coconut yield
is vital in assessing the productivity level of the mother palms, while a working knowledge on some inherent variety-specific characteristics will be of great help in determining the kind of coconut variety planted in the area.
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- choose a well-managed plantation free from pest
CocoScope Apr-Jun 2013
when shaken) - be free from pest infestation and disease and physical defects - be of uniform size
4. SEEDLING SELECTION - at least 3 ft tall - healthy and robust, - free from physical deformation and pest infestation and disease - possessing petiole color specific for the variety
organic farming BATTLE PESTS USING As PCA gears up for its massive coconut scale insect control in the CALABARZON region, finding alternative ways to battle pests may help alleviate the situation. One such way is the use of insecticidal soap. Insecticidal soap is a contact insecticide that can be useful against soft-bodied and sucking insects, like aphids, mites, leafhoppers, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, white flies and the infamous “cocolisap” (coconut scale insect). Spraying insecticidal soap may not be effective if the solution is prepared incorrectly. To make the “right” insecticidal soap spray, you will only need two things: pure bar soap and rain water.
ECO-FRIENDLY
SOAP RECIPE • Prepare one cup of pure bar soap shavings. Dissolve shavings in 6 cups of boiling rain water. • Once the soap is dissolved, add 44 cups of rain water to make the spray.
If you have secured both, then do these easy and quick steps: Source: Calriona Tudor Erler.2011. Landscaping. Creative. Homeowner. Upper Saddle Rive, N.J.PCA Coconut Media Service
FERTILIZE WITH
SALT + Bio-Organic Fertilizer Some farmers ask whether or not applying common salt alone year after year will be good for the coconut and the soil. Applied alone, salt will not be good in the long run—unless you add other organic fertilizer materials. In PCA’s fertilizer recommendation, common salt may be applied in the absence of Muriate of Potash (Potassium Chloride), but only if potassium is sufficiently available in the soil. Salt acts as a substitute-source of chloride found as a key element that thickens the coconut meat. To counteract the soil-damaging effect of applying salt alone for a number of years, appropriate organic materials should be applied. These help make available the soil microorganisms that make the soil suitable for crop growth and development.
What are these organic materials that you can apply with salt to your coconut? Refer to the information below:
Fertilizer component
Rate per Palm
Per hectare with 100 palms
Coir dust
10 kgs
1,000 kgs (20 bags)
Dried chicken/ animal manure
5 kgs
500 kgs. (10 bags)
Common Salt
2 kgs.
200 kgs. (4 bags)
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coco-based farming system
Markets for Coffee Coffee offers a lot of opportunities to interested growers. Consider the following: It is one of the worlds’ most valuable traded products next to oil. The world supply situation of coffee has been affected by low level of world stocks, lower production in some Central America countries and Columbia due to coffee rust, and climatic problems in several countries. The Philippines has a lot of suitable areas for planting coffee, and the government has support services programs to revive the industry including the PCA’s Coconut-Coffee Enterprise Development Project under its KAANIB Program. Local demand for coffee is increasing at a minimum of two (2) percent per year and could grow to about 75,000 metric tons by 2015. To be self-sufficient, the country needs to expand to about 10,000 hectares nationwide and there is a plan to make the country self-sufficient by 2015; the country is currently importing coffee largely from Vietnam and Indonesia; Nestle Phil - the country’s biggest producer of instant/soluble coffee – imports majority of its demand on coffee beans, only 25% is sourced locally.
Who are the coffee buyers? Below is a list of some known national and local coffee processors: • • • • • • • • • • • •
Serenity Coffee Corporation Universal Robina Corporation Figaro Coffee Company Starbucks Coffee, Inc. Serg’s Products, Inc. Negros Coffee and Grains Coffee Amadeo Rocky Mountain Arabica Coffee Company Century Coffee Manufacturing ECB Rich Cocoa Products Mount Apo Coffee Goldshine Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The PCA’s fieldmen would do well to determine their existence in their areas of responsibility, the volume they require and other details which can motivate prospective coffee growers to plant coffee.
Source: Dept. of Trade and Industry, 2013
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CocoScope Apr-Jun 2013
feature Unless something concrete is done in the Pablo-stricken areas of Southern Mindanao, the Rhinoceros Beetle can be expected to massively multiply. And when that happens, the beetle can become an enemy too big to handle. In fact, the Rhino beetle is considered as the most destructive and widely distributed pest of the coconut palm. The beetle damage is so visible you can’t be mistaken. If you find the palm looking like just having a bad haircut, you can be sure it’s the beetle’s work. How does this happen? Our tiny barber, the adult beetle, bores into the center of the crown (ubod) which consists of young growing leaf tissues. When the leaves grow out, they show intricate geometric cuts on the fronds--thus, the bad haircut. Repeated attacks may result to death of the palm. Currently, PCA is implementing two control measures to prevent beetle outbreak in Compostela and Davao Oriental. One is field sanitation, which is removing the rotten logs and debris, the breeding sites of the beetle. When the rotting breeding sites are not promptly removed, the farmer can adopt the second measure which is applying Green Muscardine Fungus (GMF) into the breeding sites. The GMF infects the existing beetles (larva, pupa and adult) and those that will be breeding in the same sites.
Mass produce GMF in your own homes Green Muscardine Fungus (GMF) infects and kills the larvae, pupae and adult rhinoceros beetles within 8-13 days after infection. To mass produce GMF, do the following: 1. Prepare the following materials: -healthy rhinoceros beetle larvae (50-100) -moist sawdust -basin -plywood or carton: to cover the basin -GMF powder 2. Fill the basin in half with moist sawdust and place 50-100 rhinoceros beetle larvae 3. Apply GMF powder directly on the healthy rhinoceros beetle larvae and mix with the sawdust.
A BAD H A I R D AY FOR COCONUTS Rhinoceros Beetle Damage by Araceli A. Loyola and Catherine Rose B. Bengan Source: A Guide to Coconut Pest: CETC, PCA-Davao Research Center
Practical Ways to Prevent Rhinoceros Beetles Coconut debris starts to decay after 5-6 months of felling. The debris must be eliminated as soon as possible to prevent beetle breeding.
PCA recommends the following practical steps to prevent and control Rhinoceros Beetle infestation: 1. Use coconut parts before they decay. Use hard wood for lumber production and soft wood for firewood or charcoal. 2. Use accumulated sawdust heaps for firewood or spread as thinly as possibly (not more than 6 inches thick) in the field to prevent beetle breeding. 3. For difficult-to-eliminate coconut debris such as unmillable bole/stumps or young logs, do the following: 3.1. Leave them to decay but regularly inspect them to check beetle breeding. 3.2. Collect and immediately kill the eggs, larvae and pupae found in the breeding sites. Do not allow them to become destructive adults. Kill also the adult beetles you can find in the breeding site. Do this every 1-2 months until the whole log is consumed. 3.3 Use the decayed materials as organic fertilizers for vegetables or as soil additive for potting purposes in plant nurseries. 3.4 Use the remaining unchewed portion of the log as firewood. 4. Cover the basin with plywood or carton within 1-2 weeks. Regularly inspect GMF infection on the larvae. Do not open the basin to prevent fly from entering, breeding and laying eggs. Fly eggs will render the infected larvae useless. 5. Collect the dead, mummified or hard larvae with white mass of molds growing on their skin. This turns green after 3-5 days. 6. Apply the infected larvae directly on the breeding sites to infect existing beetles or those that will breed in the area. 7. Repeat GMF application every 6 months.
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coverstory Land is Life: Understanding the Indigenous People by Catherine Rose B. Bengan __________________ “The State shall respect, recognize and protect the right of ICCs/IPs to preserve and protect their culture, traditions and institutions. It shall consider these rights in the formulation and application of national plans and policies.” -Republic Act 8371, SEC. 29.
_________________________
Mr. Monoy and his nephews, together with tribal member Mr. Ruben Sandad, standing behind the coconut seedling PCA provided last year
Scholars define “indigenous peoples” as those whose memory of belonging is defined by their relationship with the land or ancestral domain. For indigenous peoples, land is life. What we now call the IPs are people who choose to live a life according to their indigenous roots, despite the many modern opportunities. They are the descendants of the original inhabitants of the Philippines who have managed to resist centuries of Spanish and United States colonization and in the process have retained their customs and traditions. They are officially recognized by the Philippine Constitution and the Indigenous People Rights Act (IPRA). The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) estimates the number of indigenous peoples to reach between 12 to 15 million and are present in 65 of the country’s 78 provinces. I recently had the chance to interview Mr. Joey Monoy, an IP of the Ubo-Manobo tribe, one of the four subtribes of the Manobo tribe. Accompanied by Mr. Roger Laguardia, an Agriculturist of PCA-XI, I met Mr. Monoy in Brgy. Tambobong, Baguio District, a 30- minute ride from Mintal, Davao City. Mr. Laguardia told me that 70% of Brgy. Tambobong’s population belongs to the Ubo-Manobo tribe. Monoy is a tribal council member and a local government official. By appearance alone, he looked like any ordinary citizen. He donned modern clothes as he went about doing his duties in the barangay. But for the interview, he especially put on his indigenous clothes in honor of their tradition.
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CocoScope Apr-Jun 2013
Recalling the farming practices of his ancestors and parents, Monoy said, “When they planted lanzones, they would only plant one tree for four people. They thought that if they planted more, they would not be able to consume everything.” Today, Monoy and his children have their own set of practices to meet the changing economic system. The Ubo-Manobos still adopt old farming practices today but they leave out the bad practices and retain the good ones “Our ancestors ate food made of organic ingredients found in their lands, which made them healthy. These foods may not be special but our ancestors did not suffer from arthritis and other diseases. Even a sixty (60) year old could wrestle with a boar.” In line with the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), the Philippine Coconut Authority implements the Indigenous People Outreach Project (IPOP) where indigenous peoples get involved in planting coconuts in their ancestral domains. As a barangay official, Mr. Monoy is naturally concerned with government programs. “I think our practices are in line with PCA’s programs. That’s why we decided to participate in the agency’s IPOP program. We thank the PCA for making us their partners in developing the Coconut Industry.”
Source: www.wikipedia.com Cariño, Jacqueline K. Country Technical Notes on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues. Philippines, 2012 Strobel, Leny M. Babaylan: Filipinos and the Call of the Indigenous. Philippines, 2010.
I P O P G A I N I N G G RO U N D S I N
SIX REGIONS IPOP participants in Region I-IVB
The Pamayaran ritual, which involves the sacrifice of a white chicken, was done in Kalagangan, San Fernando, Bukidnon. Based on the result, it was interpreted that the project will be successful in its implementation.
Members of the Indigenous Coconut Farmers Association of Pantao, Mabinay (ICOFAPMA) in Mabinay, Negros Oriental
An IPOP officer assisting a member in planting a coconut seedling at Brgy Dita, Zamboanga City
The MAMANWA TRIBE IPOP recipients in Mabahin, Cortes, Surigao del Sur together with PCA personnel
Agriculturist Roger Laguardia (left) with IPOP participants of the Bagobo Clata Tribe in Tawan-Tawan, Baguio District, Davao City CocoScope Apr-Jun 2013
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Indigenous People Outreach Project (IPOP)
Under the IPOP, the indigenous people can participate in the following:
This program is one of the component projects of the Accelerated Coconut Planting & Replanting Project (ACPRP) under the PCA’s Coconut Productivity Enhancement Program (CPEP).
1. The Participatory Coconut Planting Program (PCPP) where they shall be planting coconut. This program also includes a Cash Reward Program (CRP) where the IPs are given an incentive of P22.00 for every good seedling planted and established;
IPOP recognizes the role of the indigenous people (IPs) in preserving their ancestral domain while at the same time developing their lands into production areas.
Region I-IVB MIMAROPA
Region VII Western V isayas
A chance meeting at a seminar between Ms. Rosalinda Arbon, CDO assigned in Mabinay, Negros Oriental, and the chieftain of Tribu Bukidnon pave the way to the implementation of the IPOP in the region. Due to the lack of planting materials in their area, the chieftain expressed his desire to seek assistance from PCA. The agency responded to the chieftain’s request and TRIBU Bukidnon became a participant under IPOP of the Accelerated Coconut Planting and Replanting Program (ACPRP) for the year 2013. Joining the program are 137 participants in two municipalities, Cansal-ing and Pantao, in Mabinay, Negros Oriental. In line with the program, the Cansal-ing Indigenous Coconut Farmers Association (CICFA) and the Indigenous Coconut Farms Association of Pantao Mabinay (ICOFAPMA) were established in the respective municipalities duly recognized by the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). A total of 100.7 hectares is allocated for the two municipalities under the IPOP program this year.
The IPOP in the region is implemented in the provinces of Cagayan, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro and Palawan. Based on the PCA guidelines, the indigenous peoples were able to participate in the agency’s Coconut Seedling Dispersal Project or Participatory Coconut Planting Project. As of last year, out of the 49,169 germinated seednuts 18,600 seedlings were distributed for planting. The IP groups who benefited from the project were the Dumagats in Aurora, Agtas in Cagayan, Mangyans in Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro and Palawans/Cuyunins in Palawan.
Region IX Zamboanga Peninsula PCA-IX is currently assisting a total of 710 indigenous peoples making them participants and recipients in different PCA programs and projects. The participating groups include the Yakan, Kalibugan and Samal tribes.The group established a coconut nursery. Six months later, a ceremonial distribution of the seedlings was held on June 10, 2013. As the program continues to attract the interest of other people, the participants have been advised to sustain the operation of its nursery as they await more assistance and planting materials from PCA. Furthermore, a series of training and demonstration on coconut sugar processing, virgin coconut oil (VCO), coconut coir production and other coconut by product utilization were conducted.
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2. The Coconut Seedling Dispersal Project (CSDP) where PCA gives coconut seedlings to the IPs who are willing to establish coconut seed farms or develop new coconut plantations in their domain.
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PCDM Trasmonte together with the members of Tribu Bukidnon
Region X Northern Mindanao The Matigsalug tribe of Bukidnon is Northern Mindanao’s IPOP recipient. Their ancestral domain covers an area of about 5,000 hectares which still includes virgin forests at its limits. They are based in Kalagangan, San Fernando, Bukidnon which is about 66 kms travel from Valencia City. The tribe, who called themselves SOLED K or the “Solidarity of the Matigsalug People Towards the Development of Ancestral Domain”, initially sought the assistance of Secretary Alcala during his NOMIARC visit last year. The group’s 108 members are now participants of PCA’s IPOP. Under the KAANIB program, the group has a 100-hectare coconut area. From its mini seed garden, 2,400 catigan dwarf seedlings have already been delivered. There is also an on-going 50-hectare hybrid corn intercropping project with an initial budget of 455,000.00 pesos.
PCDM Efren Carba entertaining questions from the IPOP members of brgy. Dita, Zamboanga City during the open forum.
Region XI Southern Mindanao IPOP members in Bukidnon during their Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA).
The provinces of Davao City and Davao Oriental are implementing the Accelerated Coconut Planting and Replanting Project (ACPRP) for their indigenous peoples. Under the IPOP, the region aims to plant 600 hectares with coconut, which requires 90,000 seednuts. A total of 760 participants are expected to participate in this project with 720 recipients living in five barangays of Davao City, namely: Inayangan, Sirib, Tambobong, Tawan-tawan and Cadalian. The 40 recipients from Barangay Matiao, Mati, Davao Oriental will receive the balance of seednuts from the region. Currently, about 34% of the required seednuts had been delivered on site in Matiao, Mati, Davao Oriental and barangays Inayangan and Tawan-tawan. The Laguna Tall seednuts came from the PCA-Davao Research Center. The indigenous peoples who participated in the program include the Manobo tribes in Davao City and the Mandaya tribe in Davao Oriental.
The Philippine Coconut Authority
Region XIII CARAGA
A total of 1,360 indigenous peoples in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur are currently participating in the IPOP. The IPs include the Manobo, Higaonon, Banwaon, and the Mamanwa tribes. The PCA-Caraga has reported that sixty (60) Mamanwa families in Surigao del Sur are actively involved in the program. A total of 3,570 hectares was allocated to the program for the year 2012: 1,820 hectares or an equivalent of 273,000 seednuts for Agusan del Sur and the remaining 1,750 hectares for the province of Surigao del Sur. Out of the 262,500 seednuts allocated for Surigao del Sur, 12,000 were already released. The beneficiaries plan to organize a cooperative so they can have easy access to financial assistance. Lack of funding is the main reason for the delayed clearing and planting operations. Currently, the IPOP in Caraga region is in the stage of seedling distribution and field planting.
continues to extend its IPOP to other interested
indigenous peoples of the country. CocoScope Apr-Jun 2013
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regional focus
industry brief The region is composed of the provinces Cavite, Laguna Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. It has a total land area of 1,770,060 hectares of which 510,939 hectares or 28% are devoted to coconut production. There are 17 districts, of which 15 are cocal districts, with 142 municipalities within the region. The total number of coconut trees is 78,260, 852 and out of this number 74% or 58,168,118 are bearing and 14% or 11,582,222 are non-bearing while the remaining 10% or 8,510,514 are considered senile. There are 277,402 farmers in the region and 462 farmer’s organizations.
REGION IVA CALABARZON Source: Region I-IVA 2012 Annual Report
The average nut production per tree/year is 45. Total production was 2,323,208,545 nuts or an equivalent of 516,269 metric tons in copra production. The region has the greatest number of coconut product processors. The major coconut products produced are copra, copra cake, coconut oil, desiccated coconut, fresh young coconut, and coconut coir. From this list, desiccated coconut, fresh young coconut and coconut oil are the most in demand products in foreign markets. At present there are 9 Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) producers, 16 existing coconut oil mills with a total crushing capacity of 2,290.50 MT/day or 615,750 M/ year and 6 refineries with a total crushing capacity of 780 MT/day or an equivalent of 211,940 MT/year. The five desiccated coconut plants have a total production of 228,851 MT/year. Likewise, 10 coco coir plants are in operation within the region with a total production capacity of 106.30 MT/day, 6 coco handicraft makers, 8 charcoal/briquettes/granulated
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CocoScope Apr-Jun 2013
MCPP and GFACE: PCA-IVA’s Initiatives PCA/GFACE PROJECT– Pantihan 4, Coconut Farmers Brgy Business Center From Left: Eu Jun Lee, Agapito Bago, Yong Ki Shin, Jaime Gamier, Marclo Esteron, Mariano Rosales, Gil Luay and Reynaldo Lorica
MODIFIED PARTICIPATORY COCONUT PLANTING PROJECT (MPCPP) This project is a follow-through to the region’s Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between PCA and the Quezon Lucena Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QLCCI) back in December 2011. In this project, the QLCCI is responsible for generating the participants and the area for planting while the PCA shall provide the seedlings, technical support, and a 30-pesoincentive for every seedling stabilized in the field five months after planting. A total of 1,000 hectares is targeted for planting in this project. Part of the MOA is that each recipient, given 100 good seednuts, shall give back 100 good coconut seedlings from their bearing coconut palms under the program.This is to ensure the program’s continuity. For 2012, the QLCCI endorsed an area of 647.12 hectares equivalent to 64,712 seedlings. To date, a total of 37,938 seedlings or 59.0% of the target number of seedlings have been planted by 129 recipients. Aside from the seedlings, the PCA also gave cash incentives for the first batch of recipients amounting to PhP353,130 benefiting 43 coconut farmer recipients.
PCA-GLOBAL FOUNDATION FOR ASIAN COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT (GFACE) PROJECT This project between PCA & SAE MAUL-South Korea in Cavite started in CY 2007 with a seedfund of PhP1,710,000 from SAE MAUL (New Community Movement) for the livelihood projects of two (2) barangays of Maragondon and Magallanes (Pantihan IV, Brgy. Business Center and UrdanetaBrgy.Business Center). Designed to help alleviate poverty in the selected sites, the grant was used as a revolving fund for the projects on hog fattening, cattle breeding/fattening and as sponsor of a scholarship grant for 10 high school and 10 college students. The region reports that the project is evidently helpingthe coconut farmer-members of the above-mentioned business centers. Part of the project is the construction of the Coconut Farmers Building which will serve as their office and venue for meetings.The estimated cost for this facility is PhP1.2 million.
MPCPP: Each recipient, given 100 good seednuts, shall give back 100 good coconut seedlings from their bearing coconut palms under the program.This is to ensure the program’s continuity.
CocoScope Apr-Jun 2013
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business
THE LURE OF
SCAMS
by Edgar T. Bahala
A countless number of Filipinos have already become victims of financial scams. The newspapers are full of stories of scams. TVs air them with the victims and scammers being interviewed before the shocked viewing public. Yet, we still hear of many Pinoys falling victims to scammers. Including retirees with big retirement money who try to find ways of making their money grow as quickly as they can! One of my friends told me: “When you have money, people will try to get that money from you. That includes not only robbers but also malls or commercial establishments selling products to prospective buyers like you.”
This charade continues until there isn’t enough new money to pay off the interest rates of older clients. Soon, everything implodes. Rose Baladjay started by promising 1.1 percent a month interest to her investors. But by its very structure, you’ll need more and more money to pay older clients, so Multitel had to keep raising the interest rates to attract more customers. Then, it promised five percent returns a month. When the scam exploded, the government shut down Multitel.
But people did not learn.
A partner of Baladjay in Multitel, Cyrus Yap Hao, set up his own pyramid scheme. He founded Royal Manchester Five (RMF). Again, his company promised insane high returns —and many more were duped and lost their money.
So why do so many Filipinos fall into scams?
Through Power Homes, they dangled the promise of P3 million in earnings plus a house and lot. Around P2 billion of clients’ money was lost in RMF.
If you don’t know how to manage your money, you can easily fall into scams.
Because majority of them are always looking for a "Get Rich Quick Scheme"—a one time big deal! They don’t realize that real wealth building has no shortcuts. When someone approaches you to invest in him or invite you to join him in an investment, ask about the interest rate. Even if that person happens to be your friend or relative, never decide immediately. Insanely high interest rate is usually the most common sign of a financial scam. Multitel (Multinational Telecom Investors Corp.), started by Rosario “Rose” Baladjay, was probably the biggest scam in Philippine history. It was reported that two million people invested in this company—which probably reached P100 billion. Reason: This company accepted small investors— even as small as P10,000. The company was so believable, they even got many military and police officers to invest. Why? Multitel promised four percent to five percent returns a month. They also had another offer where you could double your money in 18 months.
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That’s an insane interest rate. Insanely high interest rates mean -a pyramid scam is going on where a company gets money from new clients to pay off the interest of old clients. (This is what you call a Ponzi scheme, named after one of the most celebrated scammers in the history of America, Charles Ponzi.)
Did you notice? That’s 60 percent growth a year.
CocoScope Apr-Jun 2013
In 2008, Francs Swiss did the same thing. It promised four percent a day for 60 days straight or 270 percent returns. But despite the insanity of those interest rates, many executives and celebrities were lured into its bottomless pit including one Vice President who sent them P10 million and lost it all. Today, banks offer very small interest rates to savings. So before parting with your money in any financial undertaking, ask for the interest rate. If it’s too good to be true, don’t get excited. Hold on to your money.
Know this: Risk is the twin brother of Opportunity. We cannot remove risk but we can manage it and there are a lot of ways to do it. But first, invest in financial literacy. Attend seminars on that aspect. Read books on it. Ask people you know who are already earning from their investments and business. But do your work in educating yourself in handling your money. As one expert in financial literacy once said, “Aral muna bago invest,” (Study first before you invest).
inspire me
The Jar of
They say the average life expectancy in the Philippines is 66 years old. Meaning a Filipino today, male or female, can only expect to live at that age. I also read somewhere that 3 people die every second.
Tick, tock, tick, tock, Tick.
In those 5 seconds, 15 people are now dead! If you’re still breathing today, still able to eat, then you’re not one of those 15 people who just died, 15 seconds ago.
Seeds
Life is so fragile. Incredibly fragile. It can snap anytime. So each of us is hanging to dear life by a mere thread. Weeks ago, a friend in the office had a mild stroke which later became so massive that 85% of her brain had blood clot. Within two days, she was dead. It was painful to see a friend and colleague leave so suddenly, never to be seen again. Is this what life is really all about? That within a moment, your life can be taken away from you? Every moment, therefore, is a great gift from God. He never promised that we would wake up tomorrow morning. Every morning when we wake up, we should celebrate and throw a party! It’s an undeserved gift. So while we are alive, shouldn’t we give time to God? While we are still strong, shouldn’t we love the people in our lives?
Do you want to know how short your life is?
by Edgar T. Bahala
Every Sunday, remove one seed from the jar. As weeks pass by, you’ll see the seeds in the jar decrease. When you reach 66 years old and no seeds are left, each Sunday becomes a big bonus from God.
What am I saying?
That you must use your time well because you cannot replace it. You can replace lost things like cellphone, car, jewelries, house. But not lost time. Each moment of your life is a seed in that jar. Each time you remove a seed from that jar, you have a choice. Will you throw it away and lose it forever? Or will you plant it in the soil and make it eternal?
Do this: count the number of Sundays you have left. There are 3,432 Sundays in 66 years.
When you spend your time loving, you’re doing something that will last forever.
I am now 61. That means I have already used up 3,172 Sundays. If I live until 66, I only have 260 Sundays to go.
When you love, you’re planting a tree in the soil of heaven.
Do you want to know how to make that more concrete so you will really appreciate how short your life is?
Give each of your moment to God. Spend your life loving people. Heaven is waiting for your seeds.
Get a jar of seeds. Any kind of seeds will do. The seeds should be the number of Sundays you have left in your life. In my case, I shall have 260 seeds in the jar.
CocoScope Apr-Jun 2013
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oil palm
MAPPINGTHEPHILIPPINE oil palm industry by Edgar T. Bahala and Rhoieliza E. Recla
Region
Province
Areas Planted (has)
No. of Palms
MIMAROPA
Palawan
5,293.61
677,583
CENTRALVISAYAS
Bohol
6,493.69
725,896
WESTERN MINDANAO
Zamboanga del Norte & Sur
1,150
184,280
NORTHERN MINDANAO
Bukidnon & Misamis Or.
2,419.31
322,815
SOUTHERN MINDANAO
Compostela
1,217
155,745
SOCSKSARGEN
Socsksargen
17,241.51
2,278,998
CARAGA
Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur
20,040.13
2,565,137
ARMM
Maguindanao Dist. 1 & 2
2,786.44
356,584
56,641.69
7,267,038
TOTAL
Agumil Palm Oil Mill 30 T, FFB/hr Palawan
PALM INC.
Aberdi Palm Oil Mill
10 MT, FFB/hr Impasugong, Bukidnon
Buluan Palm Oil Mill 30T,FFB/hr Buluan, Maguindanao
40 T,FFB/hr Carmen, BOHOL
FPPI Palm Oil Mill
40 T, FFB/hr Rosario, Agusan del Sur
KENRAM Industries Palm Oil Mill: 20 T, FFB/hr Isulan, Sultan Kudarat
Agumill Palm Oil 20 T, FFB/hr Trento, Agusan Del Sur
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CocoScope Apr-Jun 2013
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is the government agency mandated to “oversee the development of the coconut and other palm oil industry in all its aspects and ensure that the farmers become direct participants and beneficiaries of, such development and growth.” The first Philippine Oil Palm Development Plan for 2004-2010 was crafted by the PCA and presented during the National Palm Oil Congress held in 2003. The plan aimed to provide guidance on the direction of the industry. However, despite the plan, the industry took off rather slowly with investors and business supporters waiting for the tangible
translation of government support in the form of industry-friendly policies, infrastructural support, budget for research and financing. At present, the Filipinas Palmoil Plantations, Inc (FPPI), Agusan Plantations Inc. (API), Kenram and A Brown Energy & Resources Devt., Inc (ABERDI) are the main players in the continuing expansion of oil palm in the Philippines. As of December 2012, the total area planted to oil palm had grown to 56,641.69 hectares, although the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) puts it at around 53,000 hectares. Of this total, Caraga Region shares 35% followed by Region XII with 30%.
PCA , DTI-CARAGA Hold Workshops on Oil Palm Roadmap
Participants of the Philippine Palm Oil Industry Roadmap Validation Workshop (Butuan City) convene to further validate the oil palm data After a series of meetings and communications, the Philippine Coconut Authority and the Department of Trade & Industry-Caraga held two workshops seen to be leading to the final preparation of the country’s Oil Palm Development Roadmap for 2014-2023. On April this year, through its Palm Oil Development Office or PODO (based at the Coconut Extension Training Center in Bago-Oshiro, Davao City), the PCA conducted a Consultation Workshop with selected oil palm industry stakeholders. The activity aimed to harmonize data, assess current issues and concerns and identify possible enabling programs and environment necessary for the development of the industry.
The participants, composed of PCA, DTI, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, Land Bank of the Philippines, One Network Bank, Oil millers and out-growers, sorted out the available data on oil palm and discussed the industry’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and identified possible strategies and programs that could address the critical issues facing the oil palm industry today. Using the outputs of the Davao Validation Workshop, the PODO then prepared the draft Roadmap of the Philippine Oil Palm Industry Development for 2014-2023. On June 14, this draft Roadmap was presented in Butuan City for further review and validation. The activity was organized and funded by DTI-Caraga in coordination with PCA-PODO. The Roadmap for the Oil Palm Industry Development is now being finalized by both PODO and the DTI-Caraga which are preparing the narratives and the powerpoint presentations for the Roadmap document. The final draft of the Roadmap will be reviewed in an Oil Palm Summit initially scheduled before the end of the year.
CocoScope Apr-Jun 2013
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A
MACAPUNO TWIST to Bicol’s Local Treat
Our country is richly blessed with plenty of coconuts. We are more than lucky to have Makapuno bearing palms that provide us with soft and flavorless meat guaranteeing tenderness in every bite. Makapuno meat is popularly made into jam and preserves but the locals in the Bicol region incorporate it in local treats, giving these native dishes a twist. One of the novel uses of makapuno is in the preparation of “Inulokan”, a mouth-watering dish that makes use of makapuno meat instead of the ordinary coconut meat. Inulokan, is basically a mixture of chopped young coconut meat, fresh water crab meat juice (squeezed from crushed whole crabs) and spices wrapped in several layers of taro leaves simmered in coconut milk and stalks of lemon grass. Just follow these simple steps to have this delectable dish. Photo by: OIC Mateo Zipagan
Inulokan Recipe Ingredients: -25 pcs taro (gabi) leaves (whole and fresh) -2 kg small fresh water crabs (Ulok in Bicol) -2 kg young Makapuno meat -4 cups coconut milk from green mature nuts -2 onion heads -2 cloves garlic -1 pc ginger -Salt and black pepper to taste
For cooking: -2 stalk lemon grass -4 cups coconut milk Other materials: -young coconut leaflets for tying
Direction:
1. Clean the taro (gabi) leaves. Set aside. 2. Clean the water crab “ulok”. Crush them to get the juice. Set aside. 3. In a bowl, combine the crab juice with all the ingredients then mix thoroughly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. 4. Prepare 2 pcs of taro leaves for wrapping the mixture. 5. Pour in ½ cups of the mixture in prepared taro (gabi) leaves. Tie with coconut leaflet. 6. Place/arrange wrapped “inulokan” in a sauce pan with lemon grass and cook with coconut milk over low fire for about one hour.
Source: Macapuno Flavorites, Albay Research Center