Use of coco coir net to prevent soil erosion pushed

MANILA, Philippines - Jesus L. Arranza, newly appointed president and chief executive officer of the CIIF-Oil Mills Group, wants to push for the mandatory use of coconet made from coconut coir to control soil erosion in all government infrastructure projects, as well as encourage its use in private sector construction projects.

In a talk with newsmen, Arranza pointed out that in 2002, President Arroyo issued Memorandum Circular 25 directing all national and local government agencies, bureaus and other related agencies to use coco peat or coir dust and coconut fiber materials for soil conditioning and erosion control.

Unfortunately, Arranza said out, the President’s directive was never fully implemented. Arranza pointed out that following the landslides caused by the spate of typhoons, the value of using coconet is now reinforced.

He cited as an example the construction of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), which unlike other government-constructed highways, did not experience any landslides or soil erosion caused by the heavy rains.

The CIIF-Oil Mills Group, Arranza pointed out, already has an existing P100 million plant in Maco, Davao del Norte, that has been mothballed for three years which could produce all the needed coconets.

By enforcing the order, Arranza said the CIIF’s coconet plant would be fully utilized.

At the same time, the use of coconet in government infrastructure projects would help lower the construction cost compared to the use of cement and plastics or even riff-raffing.

Arranza said the estimated three million farmers could be mobilized to help in “twining” for which the farmers would be paid.                – Marianne Go