DAGAMI Leyte, Aug. 23 (PNA) — The coconut industry of this town is still on the road to recovery after super typhoon Yolanda damaged the its major source of living, an official of the Philippine Coconut Agency (PCA) said.
The PCA has already started the recovery phase for coconut rehabilitation. So far, its replanting program has already replaced more than 20,000 trees.
Hermogenes Martinada, the town’s coconut development officer, said they are targeting to finish the replanting program in the next six months.
The official hopes to get an immediate financial support from the national government to fast track the recovery of coconut industry.
“The economy in this town will recover since the coconut industry is the major source of living for 95 percent of residents here,” Martinada said.
In terms of debris clearing, 15 percent of farms have been cleared and they are still conducting the activity in other areas.
Billy Rocol, in sharing his experience, said that it was hard for him and his family to move forward since coconut planting is their only means of livelihood.
He added that it affected their status in life. He decided to look for another job for the sake of his family. Now, he drives a motorcycle, but the number of passenger decreased since many people have no money.
Out of 900,000 coconut trees in Dagami, around 750,000 were totally damaged. (PNA)