The provincial government of Dinagat Islands, in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), has continued the distribution of coconut seedlings to farmers in the province.

This week’s distribution, which began Tuesday, aims to provide 59,972 seedlings to 586 coconut farmers from seven towns in Dinagat Islands.

“The distribution of coconut seedlings is under the government’s Massive Coconut Planting and Replanting Program under the Coconut-based Agroforestry Project,” Governor Nilo Demerey Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday.

Last week, approximately 20,713 coconut seedlings were distributed to 242 coconut farmers in three towns.

Demerey acknowledged the support of other government agencies, particularly the Department of Agriculture and the PCA, for the program.

The province has a total allocation of 400,000 coconut seedlings, valued at PHP20 million, ready for distribution to farmers this year.

Coconut farmers were among the sectors most affected by Super Typhoon Odette in 2021, which uprooted thousands of coconut trees in the province. The extensive seedling distribution is expected to further aid their recovery. (PNA)