BY KEITH BACONGCO
DAVAO CITY – Virgin coconut oil producers are elated with the “very promising” result of the VCO trials on COVID-19 patients, saying its effectiveness as prevention supplement could bring more opportunities to coconut farmers.
Ateneo de Manila professor Fabian Dayrit and Equilibrium Integrative Health Clinic Medical Director Dr. Jose Rey Mondejar revealed that they tried VCO’s effectiveness among COVID-19 patients in Sitio Zapatera, Barangay Luz in Cebu City.
Jerry Taray, co-founder of TreeLife, which produces several coconut-based products including VCO, said that the result of the clinical trial is good for the country economically.
Taray added that recent development could inspire local coconut producers to maximize their production capacity.
“More income not only to processors but also to local farmers. Prices for unhusked coconut will improve and it will also improve the income of small farmers,” said the certified organic VCO producer based in Carmen, North Cotabato.
Moreover, he believes that VCO could become an alternative and affordable cure or prevention supplement against COVID-19 adding that it is affordable among the poorest of the poor.
In the local market, the average price per 250ML of VCO ranges from P130 to P200.
While TreeLife mainly exports their VCO, Taray said the domestic market is also flourishing adding that local distributors and online resellers are also rising.
On the other hand, Taray expressed optimism that this is the time for the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to shine, adding that the agency may fund more hubs in most coconut producing towns and provinces.
“I’m not looking only at our personal gain for our company, but to the whole industry’s growth and prospects. This will be the chance for PCA to shine once more and rebuilt the industry,” he pointed out.
As this developed, Taray said they are looking for small farmers who are willing to partner with them in growing organic coconut. “We want to invest and grow with the community.” (Keith Bacongco)
