Velasco eyes coco levy fund release soon

House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco wants to pass the coco levy bill before the year ends as a “Christmas gift” to coconut farmers.

Velasco said he already discussed this with House Agriculture and Food Committee Chairperson Wilfrido Mark Enverga and that he wanted its passage to be done.

“Actually I have talked with the chairman of Agriculture (House Agriculture and Food Committee) and I told him I want the coco levy fund (bill) to be finished. This would be a good Christmas gift for our coco farmers,” Velasco said in an interview in Daily Tribune’s Straight Talk on Tuesday.

The proposed measure seeks to create a trust fund from the taxes imposed on coconut farmers by former president Ferdinand Marcos 49 years ago.

There are about 16 bills previously filed at the House of Representatives aiming for the establishment of the coco levy trust fund.

Meanwhile, Velasco reiterated the commitment of the 18th Congress to immediately pass the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte,

Earlier, the House was able to expedite the passage of the 2021 national budget bill despite the leadership change.

p: wjg