Duterte tasks Sitoy to work on coco levy fund

CEBU, Philippines - President Rodrigo Duterte has tasked Presidential Legislative Liaison Office chief, Secretary Adelino Sitoy, to work on the release of the P60-billion coco levy fund to coconut farmers.

Sitoy said he has met with the Supreme Court justices and asked them to help him go about the orders of the president. He is also working with the Department of Agriculture and Congress for the enactment of a law seeking to allow the coconut farmers to enjoy the coco levy fund.

He is set to give a report during the Cabinet meeting this week.

Once approved, the proposed bill for the distribution of the coco levy funds will be signed urgent by the president.

Totaling P75 billion, the coco levy fund represents the money and assets collected from the coconut farmers from 1973 to 1982. The Supreme Court earlier issued a temporary restraining order directing Aquino and the Presidential Commission on Good Government to stop the effects of Executive Order 179 and 180.

EO 179 provides for the inventory, privatization and transfer of coco levy assets in favor of government. Meanwhile, EO 180 mandates the transfer of the funds to the government for an “Integrated Coconut Industry Roadmap Program.”

The Supreme Court also ruled that the total amount of P75 billion coco levy fund held in trust was public funds that ought to be used for the benefit of the coconut farmers and the coconut industry.

The distribution of funds is now covered by Presidential Decree 1234, which gave the Philippine Coconut Authority the authority and jurisdiction over the disbursement of the funds.

Sitoy, who spoke before the municipal employees of Cordova town after the flag raising ceremony yesterday, also reported he has been discussing with the Department of Health officials in Manila regarding the establishment of a hospital in Cordova.

Sitoy finished his term as mayor last June 30 and he was elected as vice mayor in the recent elections. However, two months later, he resigned after Duterte appointed him as PLLO head and also as Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs effective September 1, 2016.

Sitoy told the town officials and employees that even if he is now in Malacañang he is still closely monitoring the affairs of the municipal government under the leadership of his daughter, Mayor Mary Therese “Teche” Sitoy-Cho.

Cho said she was surprised that her father knew about the developments in the town even without her telling him.

Sitoy also held a meeting with the town and barangay officials, and department heads before leaving for Manila yesterday. (FREEMAN)