Former V-Gov. Balite urges Boholanos to plant coconut

Former Vice-Governor Atty. Dionisio Balite who is now the chairman of the Bohol Coconut Development
Council (BCDC) strongly urged the Boholanos to plant coconut as the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh)
through Governor Art C. Yap has included in his priority programs the expansion of coconut plantation in Bohol.
Atty. Balite issued the call when he delivered a message during the launching of Bohol COCOKADIWA Ni Ani
At Kita Outlet held at the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Provincial Office, this city last Thursday as one of
the activities in line with the current month-long celebration of Coconut Month.
Balite even urged the PCA employees to lead in planting coconut as they are working in the government office
tasked to improve the coconut industry.
He said that he made the call without fear of contradiction because he is a planter of coconut even that he is a
lawyer, politician and owned six big schools, the Bohol Institute of Technology (four in Bohol, one in Siquijor and
one in Butuan) as he stated “go beyond what you are now.”
Balite encouraged the coconut farmers to engage in the intercropping to make use of farm land under coconut
trees by planting agri-commodities, such as banana, cassava, sweat potato, corn, coffee and cacao; and even raising
cattle, pig, chicken, and ducks among others.
He bared that now when he has visitors, he wouldn’t offer soft drinks or coffee but coconut juice and plan not to
offer wine anymore during fiestas or any gathering but “bahalina”.
The former vice governor disclosed now that he heads the BCDC he is very determined to strengthen the coco
farmers’ organizations in the province as he already completed the conduct of consultative road show together with
the coco farmers’ presidents of the different municipalities in Bohol.
According to him, he wants to leave a legacy underscoring the importance of coconut that is why he is very
aggressive to revive and strengthen the coconut industry.
He hopes that his words be inculcated into the minds of the Boholanos especially the youth.
Board Member Ricky Masamayor, chairman – Committee on Agriculture of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of
Bohol who is also the member of the board of BCDC said that he has given 101% support to improve the coconut
industry in Bohol.
He told PCA-Bohol Manager Emiliano Romero not to hesitate to ask his office for whatever help he can extend,
be it a resolution or ordinance just for the good of the coconut farmers.
Masamayor admitted he had no love for agriculture because he has no background on it having grown in the city.
But when Gov. Yap and Vice-Governor Rene L. Relampagos choose him to hold the chairmanship of agriculture
committee and after rubbing elbows with the people in the agriculture sector he really felt love for agriculture.
PCA-Bohol Manager Romero in his welcome message thanked the BCDC for their strong support for the plans
and programs of PCA to strengthen and expand the coconut industry in the province.
Romero bared that his office in Bohol has lined up several activities to color the month-long celebration of
Coconut Month spearheaded by PCA Administrator Benjamin Madrigal, Jr.
This is to show that they are not sleeping on their tasks to help the coconut farmers, he said.
Romero said that the Bohol COCOKADIWA Ni Ani at Kita Outlet at his office serves as the venue where the
coconut by-products from the coconut farmers’ entrepreneurs can be sold such as: coco log, coco peat, calamay,
coco sap sugar, virgin coconut oil, bahalina, sukang puti (regular), sukang puti (spicy), sukang pula (spicy), and
sukang pula (regular).
Catalino Ordinario, Jr. who is the Small Coconut Farmers’ Organizations (SCFOs) chairman in region 7 and in
Bohol and member of board of BCDC said that the organizations have strongly supported the plans and programs
for coconut in the province.
Senior PCA Agriculturist Primo Galendez in his closing statement thanked the Boholano coconut farmers
especially the coconut farmer entrepreneurs who have given the chance to sell their products at the COCOKADIWA
ni Ani At Kita Outlet as a way of promoting their products.
Galendez invited the Boholanos to buy coconut products and by-products. He said, they are looking into
possibilities that this products can be sold at the ART Tabo sa Plaza in front of Bohol Wisdom School, CPG North
Avenue, Cogon, Tagbilaran City. (Atoy Cosap)

COCOKADIWA AT KITA OUTLET. Former Vice Governor Dionisio D. Balite (2 nd from right) who is also
the chairman of the Bohol Coconut Development Council (BCDC) and Board member Ricky Masamayor,
chairman Committee on Agriculture, Sangguniang Panlalawigan lead the ribbon cutting during the launching
of Bohol COCOKADIWA NI ANI KITA OUTLET at PCA Provincial Office, this city last Thursday assisted by the
PCA-Bohol Manager Emil Romero who also leads the current month-long celebration of Coconut Month and
Catalino Ordinario, Jr. president of small coconut farmers organizations in Bohol. PCA-Bohol Manager
Romero endorsing coconut by-products at the PCA Provincial Office.