COURT ASKED TO STOP P700-M FUND RELEASE TO FARMERS. Coconut producers have petitioned the Sandiganbayan to stop the government from releasing P700 million from the so-called "coconut levy funds" to coconut farmers as ordered by President Arroyo.
Led by Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Clara Lobregat, the Coconut Producers Federation Inc. (COCOFED) asked the anti-graft court to order the government to explain why it should not be barred from releasing the funds and how the amount would be used. Lobregat said Mrs. Arroyo’s order to release the P700 million is a "blatant contravention" of the anti-graft court’s order of Dec. 8, 2000.
Commissioner Ruben Carranza of the Presidential Commission on Good Government said Lobregat should be blamed for any delay in the release of the P700 million. However, Lobregat said numerous COCOFED members, which is comprised of coconut farmers and producers, have "signified their willingness" to join the lawsuit. Lobregat said those pushing for the "diversion" of the "coco levy funds" could be sued for large-scale estafa on the ground that the money is private property.
Last month, Mrs. Arroyo ordered the P700-million to be used for health insurance, educational and other financial assistance programs for coconut farmers and their families.
Source: Philippine Star, 26 February 2003
TILLERS HAIL, PAN RELEASE OF P700-MILLION COCO FUND. Coconut farmers in Quezon have welcomed President Macapagal-Arroyo's order releasing P700 million from the coconut levy fund.
But, the farmers warned, the money should be used solely to help them and not for any other purpose like covering the country's huge budget deficit, as proposed by Speaker Jose de Venecia. Rene Cerilla, Ugnayan ng mga Magsasaka sa Quezon president, described the President's order as the most "welcome development this new year."
On Saturday, President Macapagal announced the impending release of at least P700 million from coco levy fund earnings. The coco levy or the Coconut Consumers Stabilization Fund was collected from small coconut farmers during the Marcos regime from 1973 to 1982, under Presidential Decree 276. It now totals more than P100 million. But for Fred Torres, head of the militant Pinag-isang Lakas ng Samahang Magsasaka sa Quezon or Piglas-Quezon, the President's release order was part of a propaganda blitz.
Source: Philippines Daily Inquirer, 20 January 2003