News Details

Modern-Day Freedom Fight: Capiz Plants 350 Coconut Seedlings to Champion Food Security and Climate Resilience

NPO

•

June 17, 2025

ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — In a symbolic act of environmental patriotism, 350 dwarf coconut seedlings were planted in Barangay Concencia, Panitan, on June 12 as part of Capiz’s 2025 Independence Day celebration.

The initiative, led by the Capiz Provincial Government and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) with support from various civic and government groups, framed the event as a modern freedom movement — not from colonizers, but from hunger, flooding, and environmental degradation.

“Independence Day is not just about our liberation from foreign colonizers, but also freedom from hunger and flooding,” declared Capiz Governor Fredenil Castro, who personally oversaw the tree-planting.

Economic and Ecological Impact. Gov. Castro highlighted the economic promise of coconut farming, especially with the soon-to-rise Aquaculture Feedmill Plant in Barangay Bahit, Panay town. The facility, backed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, is expected to create new income streams for local coconut farmers and further boost agricultural productivity.

The tree-planting forms part of Capiz’s long-term strategy to mitigate flood risks, promote reforestation, and ensure food security in climate-vulnerable areas.

Government Backs Farmers, Consumers. In tandem with the environmental efforts, the governor also attended a Kadiwa ng Pangulo street market at the Capiz Provincial Park, providing affordable local produce and linking farmers directly with consumers — reinforcing the government’s mission to make food accessible and equitable.

Whole-of-Community Approach. The event gathered wide participation from:

• PCA personnel and provincial development staff
• Capiz Provincial Bantay Dagat seaborne patrols
• Radyo Maragtas employees
• Barangay officials and local volunteers

Coconut as a Climate-Smart Crop. According to PCA Capiz Manager Andy Laurilla, the agency aims to plant 147,175 coconut trees across five ongoing projects with multi-source funding within the year.

One key project is “Kalubihan sa Kamaisan”, an intercropping program that integrates coconuts in cornfields — a strategy proven to:

• Reduce soil erosion
• Reforest upland farmlands
• Strengthen flood resilience
• Enhance farm productivity