Coconut Farmers Support Student Success

Coconut farmers at Peter Paul Philippine Corporation in Sorsogon, renewed a student subsidy program from 2023 to make higher education more accessible. Education costs have frequently placed a heavy burden on household budgets. Through ongoing discussions and a needs assessment, coconut farmers identified high school tuition, college fees, and board examination expenses as major financial barriers for their community. In 2025, the Fair Trade Committee and farmer representatives agreed to allocate $11,300 USD of Community Development Funds to sustain the subsidy for 151 farmers households as the beneficiaries. The targeted program distributed financial assistance directly to eligible households to help cover tuition and other education-related expenses. It also included support for students preparing for board examinations, recognizing the additional costs associated with certification and career entry requirements. This vital support helped cover school expenses and reduce financial strain during the academic year. This support also enabled students to continue their studies with the materials and resources they need, contributing to consistent school participation and progress toward completing their education.