Statement of Sen. Cynthia Villar on the PCA bill veto

It is unfortunate that the President did not sign the bill strengthening the Philippine Coconut Authority, which will be tasked to implement programs for the development of the coconut industry.

However this does not mean that all hopes are lost for our 3.5 million coconut farmers who have waited for decades to benefit from the coconut levy funds.

In the coming days, I hope to be enlightened more on why the President believes the measure lacked "vital safeguards" and will work with him to improve this bill.

Certainly, this will not discourage us until we see the day when our coconut farmers, who are among our country's poorest, benefit from the fund that is rightfully theirs.