SAN JOSE, Antique – Coconut farmers here who wanted to avail themselves of the government programs and services intended for them should register with the Coconut Farmers Registry System (NCFRS), the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) said.
PCA Antique’s acting division chief Rey Gelera told the Philippine Information Agency recently that farmers should enlist themselves to the NCFRS to avail the programs and services under Republic Act (RA) 11524 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act.
“In Antique, there are about 37,000 farmers needed to be validated since the data they gathered was more than a decade ago, thus, the coconut farmers should register in the NCCFRS now,” said Gelera.
The beneficiaries of the RA11524 include farm owner, owner-tiller, grower, tenant or tenant-worker, and farmworker or laborer.
Farmers who have access to the internet can register online through PCA’s website. They can also request assistance from the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist for online and manual registration.
PCA’s provincial office at T. Fornier Street is also open to assist farmers.
To register, a coconut farmer should have one valid government ID, tax declaration or land title as proof of ownership, 2×2 ID picture, and certification from the barangay, in case the farmer is a tenant or farm worker.
Gelera is also urging the coconut farmers’ organizations, associations, and cooperatives to nominate and participate in the selection and nomination of farmer representatives in the PCA Board according to said law.PIA/PN
