The Philippine Coconut Authority will fast-track its planting and replanting program and open new lands to coconut farming this year, its Administrator Oscar Garin said.

Garin, who was appointed to head the PCA only last week, said in a statement issued by the Department of Agriculture that through these programs, he is aiming to uplift the economic status of coconut farmers.

The former Iloilo congressman, whose family owns the model Garin Farms in Guimbal, Iloilo, said that with the upsurge in demand for various traditional and newly-emerging coconut products such as virgin coconut oil, coco bio-diesel and geo-textiles, the Philippines should be able to increase production to meet such demand.

Arroyo positive on
economic growth

MANILA -- President Gloria Arroyo said yesterday that the Philippines was now more stable and in a growth cycle, more than a month after she briefly assumed emergency powers to quash an alleged military coup attempt.

"We are now encountering an integrated cycle of political stability, economic growth and social reform," she said in a statement.

Arroyo cited the return to profitability of the chronically loss-making state utility National Power Corp., pledges of higher US development aid, and increased investment flows.

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