Gov't grants fund to revive typhoon-damaged coconut trees

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government has released P155.8 million (about $3.48 million) for the rehabilitation of slight-to-moderately damaged coconut trees in southern provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental, which were struck by typhoon Bopha (local name Pablo) two years ago, a senior government official said today.

Of the total fund, 115.2 million pesos shall be used for coconut replanting while 40.6 million pesos shall be used for coconut fertilization, said Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

"Post-Typhoon Pablo rehabilitation is still needed in provinces like Davao Oriental, which generates close to 90 percent of its jobs from coconut production. This release will not only help our farmers reestablish their livelihood, it will also help jump-start economic activity in the region," he said.

Coconut replanting will cover the procurement and distribution of seed nuts and seedlings with the provision of technical support on nursery establishment and planting.

Meanwhile, coconut fertilization will entail the delivery and distribution of fertilizer and the provision of technical support on fertilizer application.

As of October, 10.42 billion pesos has already been released to various agencies under the Task Force Pablo Rehabilitation Plan to fulfill the requirements of livelihood, social services, infrastructure, and resettlement programs in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental, Abad said.

Bopha, which hit the Philippines in December 2012, left over 1,000 people dead.