Quezon coco farmers receive mobile health services

By Nimfa L. Estrellado Bringing Health to the Heart of the Coconut Industry. PCA Region IV-A Regional Manager Bibiano Concibido Jr. speaks d...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado

Bringing Health to the Heart of the Coconut Industry. PCA Region IV-A Regional Manager Bibiano Concibido Jr. speaks during the launch of the Mobile Health Services and CFIDP Caravan in Quezon. (PCA CALABARZON)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - They are the backbone of one of the Philippines' most vital agricultural industries, but their health needs often go unmet. Now, the dedicated coconut farmers of Quezon province, who represent the largest group of their kind in the country, are receiving crucial medical and financial support through a new government initiative.

A mobile health caravan recently provided free services and healthcare coverage to more than 1,000 coconut farmers and their families in Quezon. The event was held in conjunction with the annual Niyogyugan Festival, a celebration that pays tribute to coconut farming as the province's main source of livelihood.



In an interview, Concibido said the goal of the initiative is to bring critical services directly to those who need them most. Farmers and their families were given access to a wide range of free services, including medical consultations, lab tests, X-rays, and essential medicines.

“The initiative aims to address the health concerns of coconut farmers, many of whom live in far-flung communities with limited access to healthcare facilities,” Concibido added.

The services also included an information caravan on the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). This long-term strategic plan, created under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act (Republic Act 11524), mandates the use of the multi-billion-peso coconut levy fund to uplift the socio-economic status of millions of Filipino coconut farmers.

Quezon province, which the PCA noted is home to the largest coconut farms and most coconut farmers in the country, is a vital contributor to the national supply. In 2022 alone, its plantations produced approximately 1.32 million metric tons of coconut (with husk), representing a 0.9% increase from the previous year.

Farmers were made aware of the extensive benefits they may enjoy under the CFIDP, including social protection, farm productivity and modernization, and credit and financing. Children and dependents of registered coconut farmers can avail of scholarships for their college education.

These programs are designed to secure the future of the coconut industry by encouraging a new generation to pursue degrees in agriculture, agribusiness, and other related fields. Addressing the challenge of an aging farmer population, the scholarships and other benefits are specifically designed to encourage younger generations to stay in the industry.

Providing financial support for college education in agriculture and related fields, these programs not only ease the burden on farming families but also foster a new generation of skilled and well-equipped professionals, ensuring the industry’s sustainability for years to come. Coconut farmers and their families can also avail of up to ₱40,000 hospitalization coverage per quarter and ₱5,000 in post-hospital care to support farmers’ continuous medical needs.

The PCA will roll out similar caravans in other CALABARZON provinces in the coming months to deliver healthcare and raise CFIDP awareness to more coconut farmers in the region. The goal is to ensure that all registered coconut farmers across the region are made aware of and can fully utilize the benefits available to them.

The official launch of the Mobile Health Services and CFIDP Caravan took place at the Quezon Convention Center as part of the Regional Coconut Day celebration. The event was inaugurated by several key officials, including PCA Region IV-A Regional Manager Bibiano C. Concibido Jr., and Quezon Province Vice Governor Anacleto "Third" Alcala III, who represented Governor Doktora Angelina "Helen" Tan.

Other notable attendees were PCA officials like Lester Tombado and King Arrvi B. Gaspar, alongside local government representatives such as Manny Butardo, Edith M. Haway, and Board Members Meg Uy, Rachel Ubaria, and Alex Morales. The event concluded with an awards ceremony to recognize outstanding cooperatives, private partners, implementing agencies, and coconut farmers in Quezon province.