Small coconut farmers affected by typhoon Yolanda were dismayed over government's neglect almost two years after the storm

Editha Azores, Tinambacan Coconut Farmers Association President 
during the Press conference yesterday


In a small press conference held on Tuesday here in Tacloban City, the group of small farmers expressed their dismay over the government neglect they experienced almost two years after the storm.

The municipality of Burauen, Leyte was one of the biggest producers of coconuts in the region. Rowel Aralar, Patong Coconut Farmers Association President says that the government had only prioritized the rice farmers, but they have neglected to see the real situation of the small coconut farmers after the devastation.

“Mabuti pa ang mga magpapalay ay merong tulong ng gobyerno, pero kaming mga magniniyog wala hanggang ngayon,” said Aralar.

The coconut farmers from the towns of Kananga, Burauen and Jaro joined forces to express their sentiments over the slow rehabilitation process of the government to the affected coconut farmlands in the region.

“Napakalaki ng dulot ng bagyo sa amin, nawalan kami ng hanapbuhay. Kung dati ay may inaasahan kaming income mula sa nyog ngayon wala na, hirap na hirap na kami. Sana naman totohanin na ang sinasabing rehabilitation na yan,” said Editha Azores Tinambacan Coconut Farmers Association President said.

They were also dismayed when President Aquino did no mention in his last State of the Nation’s Address regarding the distribution of the coco levy fund and for the welfare of the all farmers in the country.

“Pera ng mga coconut farmers ang coco levy fund, pero bakit hanggang ngayon hindi parin ito mapagmigay?,” Azores added.


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