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Friday, August 18, 2006
Governor denies favoritism in coco seed nut dispersal
By Maricar Aranas
GOVERNOR George Arnaiz denied speculations that he was giving special treatment to planters in Pamplona, his hometown, in the distribution of hybrid coconut seed nuts.
Arnaiz issued the statement after the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) turned over last Thursday more than 3,000 coco seed nuts to the Provincial Government, which it handed over to coconut planters.
The governor explained that he chairs the committee responsible for distribution but that he had not intervened in selecting applicants qualified to receive the coco seed nuts.
Arnaiz said the committee's priority was planters or farmers who could buy on cash basis because the province needs the money to replenish the bought stock.
He added that the program was just starting implementation and for it to succeed, funds must be available to additional seeds.
Arnaiz said the Provincial Government had released P4 million, half of which was used to buy the seed nuts distributed last Thursday.
Carlos Carpio, PCA deputy administrator for research, development, and operations, joined the governor during the turnover.
Carpio lauded the PCA provincial office and the Provincial Government for its massive coconut planting and replanting program.
Nationwide, he said, only Negros Oriental and North Cotabato have the program. Negros Oriental is the 27th major producer of coconut among the country's 68 provinces.
The PCA official said it would not be difficult for Negros Oriental to land among the top 12 coconut producers in the country if the program succeeds and is sustained.
(August 17, 2006 issue)
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