The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) introduced a new and improved hospital and medical program aimed at providing comprehensive healthcare services to coconut farmers. This significant development was announced during the third regular meeting of the National Sectoral Committee on Coconut on September 10, 2024.

“Ito yung bunga ng consultations natin sa mga farmer, na hindi daw nararamdaman ang benefits ng ating fund. Kaya hopefully pag na-approve ito ay maramdaman at matulungan ang ating mga farmer,” said PCA Administrator Dexter Buted, Ph.D. (This is the result of our consultations with farmers, wherein they raise the issue of not being able to feel the benefits of the fund. Hopefully, the approval of this enhanced program can help our farmers.)

Under the enhanced program, coconut farmers can now avail themselves of both in-patient and out-patient medical benefits. Accredited hospitals with designated social workers will be available to assist farmers in need of medical assistance. Outpatient benefits, such as medicines and laboratory tests, can also be accessed by registered coconut farmers.

“Not necessarily na dapat pumunta pa sa PCA ang ating mga farmers, PCA Community Organizers at mga social workers natin ang kusang lalapit sa kanila sa ospital. Hindi mahirap para sa farmers na maka-avail nitong hospital and medical program and the assistance will continue hanggang sa makalabas ng ospital ang ating farmer,” said PCA Region IV-B Regional Manager Dennis Andres. (Our farmers do not need to visit the PCA before being able to avail of the medical services. They can directly visit the hospital, where the designated social workers will approach them. It will not be difficult for farmers to avail this hospital and medical program and the assistance will continue until they are released from the hospital.)

To ensure that farmers in remote areas can benefit from the program, the PCA also shared that they have deployed mobile health clinics to reach far-flung communities. In addition to medical services, farmers may also receive monetary assistance to cover medical expenses.

“Kaya mga PCA Community Organizers at mga social worker ang ating kinuha, para mag-conduct ng case study sa kalagayan ng ating farmer at malaman kung magkano yung ibibigay, including yung sa gamot and kung ano pang tulong ang maibibigay sa ating farmers,” said PCA Administrator Buted. (That is why we hired community organizers and social workers among all else, so that they are capable in conducting case studies on the welfare of our farmers for a more appropriate monetary and medical assistance.)

To qualify for these benefits, farmers must be registered in the National Coconut Farmers Registry System (NCFRS). PCA Administrator Dr. Dexter Buted encouraged all stakeholders to register, and the Agricultural and Fishery Council in Bicol has offered to assist with the distribution of registration forms in the region.

In response to suggestions from farmers, the PCA is considering extending the validity of NCFRS registration beyond one year to reduce the administrative burden on farmers. This would allow them to maximize the benefits of the program without having to go through the registration process annually. | Joy Camille Luza