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The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) must expedite the implementation of the "long-delayed" health benefits for coconut farmers. 

Thus, said AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee, who noted that the benefits were mandated by Republic Act (RA) No. 11524 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) Act of 2021. 

The law was meant to  ease the plight of coconut farmers through support on their health and livelihood. 

“Dapat agaran nang maipatupad ang mga benepisyong pangkalusugan para sa mga magniniyog na matagal na dapat naipagkaloob gamit ang pondo para sa kanila. Sila ang pundasyon ng isa sa mga pangunahing industriya sa bansa," Lee said. 

(The long-delayed health benefits for coconut farmers must be implemented using the funds that had been allocated to them. They comprise the foundation of one of the country’s, main industries.) 

"Mapapalakas pa lalo ang industriya ng niyog kung pinapangalagaan ang kalusugan at kabuhayan ng mga magniniyog,” added the senatorial aspirant. 

(By taking care of the health and livelihood of coconut farmers, we will further strengthen the industry.) 

Citing President Ferdinand Marcos’ goal for the country to become the world’s top coconut exporter, the Bicol lawmaker reiterated: “Kung seryoso tayo na maabot ang layuning ito, hindi na dapat patagalin pa ang pagpapatupad ng mga dagdag na mga serbisyong pangkalusugan para sa ating mga magniniyog.” 

(If we're serious in achieving this goal, then we shouldn't further delay the implementation of additional health service for our coconut farmers.) 

It can be recalled last March 1 Lee had a meeting with the leadership of PhilHealth and PCA to discuss the importance of informing the coconut farmers and providing them the health benefits that they deserve saying: 

On April 4,, Lee filed House Resolution (HR) No. 1673 urging the lower chamber to thoroughly investigate the delayed implementation of the health and medical services for the coconut farmers and their families prescribed by the CFITF Act and Executive Order (EO) No. 172. 

Lee also filed HR No. 954 on May 9, 2023 upon discovering that only 34 percent of the total Coco Levy Fund was disbursed for fiscal year 2022 to provide grants and subsidies for the livelihood and welfare of coconut farmers. 

These measures are results of Lee’s constant collaboration with PhilHealth and PCA in crafting policies to ensure that Filipino coconut farmers will get what they deserve.