The mobile health and medical services (MHMS) initiative of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is targeting 1,000 coconut farmers in the island town of Caluya in Antique, set from Oct. 6-8, 2026.

“Caluya is considered a geographically isolated and disadvantaged area (GIDA), the reason we are conducting the MHMS to provide services to the coconut farmers there,” said Gregory Teñoso III, PCA Division Chief I for Aklan and Antique provinces, in an interview on Friday.

Teñoso said seven doctors, six dentists, and five optometrists will join the MHMS at the town gymnasium.

Caluya has around 21,000 farmers and 771,000 coconut-bearing plants.

PCA also brought similar services to the Municipality of San Remigio, benefiting over 600 coconut farmers in the upland barangays on June 25-26 and 30.

The recipients are listed in the National Coconut Farmers Registry System.

Meanwhile, 413 coconut farmers will graduate from the School-on-the-Air (SOA) program in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry on Oct. 16.

The SOA program, which tackled 16 modules, allows farmers to learn about new technologies in coconut farming, intercropping, and pest management and control to boost their production.

The MHMS and SOA align with the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan, which aims to assist coconut farmers. (PNA)