NATIONAL ANTI-POVERTY COMMISSION 1998 The National Anti-Poverty Commission (Farmers and Landless Rural Worker Sector) By Philippine Delegation to ASEAN+3 Village Leaders Exchange Program, November 15-22, 2015, Guangxi, China

Coco Farmers in the Philippines The poorest type of farmers in the country 62 out of 71 provinces in the country are into coco farming 3.2 million hectares (27%) of the more than 12 million hectares dedicated to agriculture is coconut Out of the 3.5 coco farmers, they only earn an average of Php 41/day or Php 14, 866/year (Source: National Statistics, 2007) 36 out of 100 coco farmers are poor (Source: Family Income Expenditure Survey & Labor Force Survey 2009) By Philippine Delegation to ASEAN+3 Village Leaders Exchange Program, November 15-22, 2015, Guangxi, China

Main Issue Affecting Coco Farmers Coco Levy Fund – tax collected by the government during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos from the coco farmers for the purpose of using the taxes in the implementation of government program Programs implemented using the coco levy were scholarships and insurance only. No direct program pertaining to coco farmers was implemented affecting the growth of coconut industry. By Philippine Delegation to ASEAN+3 Village Leaders Exchange Program, November 15-22, 2015, Guangxi, China

Campaign of Coco Farmers: “KM 71” Sept. 21 – Nov. 26 71 marchers 71 billion pesos 71 days 1, 754 kilometers In 2012, the Supreme Court agreed to the case in favor of the coco farmers The favor supports the use of the 24% of coco levy or Php 71 billion but this was deposited to the National Treasury instead of giving it back to the coco farmers A Coalition composed of 9 national peasant federations was formed. On September 21 until November 26, 2014, a group of coco farmers composed of 71 marched from Davao to Manila to campaign to pressure the government to release a policy that will allow the coco farmers to use the Php 71 billion coco levy. Nov. 19 – rally to Supreme Court Nov. 24 – Dialogue in the Senate Nov. 25 – Dialogue in Congress Nov. 26 – Dialogue with the President By Philippine Delegation to ASEAN+3 Village Leaders Exchange Program, November 15-22, 2015, Guangxi, China