Former Senator Cynthia A. Villar’s landmark legislation, the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act (Republic Act 11524), is once again in focus as government agencies work to revitalize its implementation and deliver more meaningful support to the country’s 3.5 million coconut farmers.

From Senate advocacy to national reform

As then chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, Villar authored and championed the Trust Fund Act, which was signed into law on March 13, 2021. The law sought to finally return to coconut farmers the long-contested coco levy funds collected during the Marcos regime, transforming them into programs that could uplift livelihoods and modernize the coconut industry.

Unanimously passed in the Senate in October 2020, the law had earlier versions that were vetoed due to lack of safeguards. Under Villar’s leadership, critical protections—such as caps on land area and inclusion of farmer representatives—were added, ensuring that small farmers were prioritized.

The Coco Levy: Managed for Farmers, by Farmers

The law mandated the creation of a Trust Fund Management Committee composed of the Departments of Finance, Budget and Management, and Justice. Meanwhile, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) was strengthened and restructured to include farmer representation from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, ensuring grassroots voices were heard in planning and implementation.

The Trust Fund, which has grown to over ₱100 billion, began with an annual allocation of ₱5 billion—distributed across key areas such as:

• Hybrid coconut planting and seedling production

• Research and development

• Farmer training and scholarships

• Cooperative organization

• Market promotion

• Intercropping and livestock diversification

• Shared facilities and infrastructure

• Credit access, health programs, and crop insurance

Each component was intended to support not only productivity but also social development and long-term farmer empowerment.

Bumpy Start, Renewed Direction

However, in the years following its passage, implementation lagged. Key programs such as replanting, intercropping, medical assistance, and cooperative development showed weak results. Critics cited poor coordination, slow fund deployment, and overlapping mandates.

The initial Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), enacted under Executive Order No. 172 in 2022, failed to generate broad impact. To address these concerns, a revised CFIDP was issued through Memorandum Circular No. 84 in May 2025 and approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The updated plan clarified agency roles and introduced improvements in:

• Hybrid seed development and nursery operations

• Health benefits beyond existing PhilHealth programs

• Intercropping support for high-value crops, livestock, and poultry

• Strengthening coconut cooperatives

• Defining responsibility for infrastructure and shared facilities

Though no longer in the Senate, Cynthia Villar’s legacy remains embedded in the push to uplift one of the country’s most underserved agricultural sectors. Her vision was not only to correct a historical injustice, but to pave a path for coconut farmers to move from poverty toward prosperity.

“The intent of the law has always been clear—to empower farmers with the tools, resources, and representation they deserve,” Villar had emphasized.

With renewed inter-agency commitment, the government now aims to bring the law’s promise to life: increased incomes, better social protection, and a stronger, modern coconut industry—one that finally gives back to the farmers who have long waited for justice.