The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) encouraged local government units (LGUs) to use coconut fiber in restoring Sendong-damaged riverbanks.
PCA provincial coconut development manager Brendan Trasmonte said using coco coir fiber can control soil erosion along riverbanks and due to its capacity to hold water, it can help prevent floods.
Trasmonte believed that coconut farmers in the province can produce the necessary requirements by LGUs as Negros Oriental has 92,782 hectares of coconut areas with more than seven million coco bearing trees planted.
Trasmonte cited a department order issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to intensify the use of coco bio-engineering products in all its infrastructure and public work projects.
Department Order 41 also directed all regional directors, district and project engineers “to prioritize in the design to consider the use of coconut bio-engineering products and solutions in all DPWH projects and activities especially those involving slope stabilization, soil conditioning, soil erosion prevention and or hydro-seeding.”
“The technology is not only to lessen the ill-effects of climate change we experienced in the province but also offers employment and economic opportunities to small coco farmers,” PCA official said.
Coco coir fibers are also transformed into twine or yarn, while fine coco fibers are used in making beds or mattresses.
Coconut peat or dust is used as organic fertilizer, soil conditioner, or animal beddings. (www.ugnayan.com)
PCA provincial coconut development manager Brendan Trasmonte said using coco coir fiber can control soil erosion along riverbanks and due to its capacity to hold water, it can help prevent floods.
Trasmonte believed that coconut farmers in the province can produce the necessary requirements by LGUs as Negros Oriental has 92,782 hectares of coconut areas with more than seven million coco bearing trees planted.
Trasmonte cited a department order issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to intensify the use of coco bio-engineering products in all its infrastructure and public work projects.
Department Order 41 also directed all regional directors, district and project engineers “to prioritize in the design to consider the use of coconut bio-engineering products and solutions in all DPWH projects and activities especially those involving slope stabilization, soil conditioning, soil erosion prevention and or hydro-seeding.”
“The technology is not only to lessen the ill-effects of climate change we experienced in the province but also offers employment and economic opportunities to small coco farmers,” PCA official said.
Coco coir fibers are also transformed into twine or yarn, while fine coco fibers are used in making beds or mattresses.
Coconut peat or dust is used as organic fertilizer, soil conditioner, or animal beddings. (www.ugnayan.com)