By: Jay Ann Nierva, Jhanen Nieva, and Mikko Javier

The seed of hope: Thriving coconut trees in the small ground in Sitio Tinubran, Sua, Camalig, Albay. | via Jay Ann Nierva

CAMALIG, ALBAY– From harvesting 15 sacks of coconuts per season in 2016, Nena Bristol Opeña, 65-year-old coconut farmer from Camalig, Albay, now struggles to produce even seven sacks by 2025.

The coconut sector in Albay is currently facing a sharp decline in its production, driven by the worsening effect of climate change. The rainy and dry seasons are no longer like they used to be. The season has become too prolonged which affects the productivity of the plants–specifically the coconut trees.

“We need to take care of this, because it is our only means of survival—to live decently,” Opeña said.

Opeña, is a coconut farmer who resides in the community of Sua, Camalig, Albay, with her partner Salvador Gulimlim. Together, they cultivate 1.5 hectares of coconut farm inherited from their parents. Over the years, despite their commitment to caring for their main source of livelihood, both of them have witnessed a sharp and troubling decline in coconut production. 

“When it’s too hot, even the water beneath the soil seems to dry up. The crops weaken because they cannot get the energy that they need,” she added.

She pointed out that the decline is not only because of the typhoons that have passed which damages many trees, but also to excessive heat and unpredictable weather linked to climate change. As a result, the number of coconut that they usually gathered every harvest has now completely decreased. 

Why is it called ‘Tree of Life’ | Rizaldy Rempillo, Agriculturist II of the PCA Albay provides insight

According to Rizaldy Rempillo, an agriculturist in the  Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), coconut yields shrink particularly during March, April, and May when temperatures spike and rainfall is scarce. He stated that weather conditions play a significant role in the growth of the coconut. He also believed that scorching heat is one of the common factors that affects the coconut production cycle.

A Vendor’s Story: Struggling Amid Scarcity

A once abundant coconut tree in Sua, Camalig, Albay, slowly experiencing decline in fruit production. | via Jay Ann Nierva

Agriculture is not just about the farmers. Vendors, too, play a vital role in bringing the harvest from the farm to the table. Their lives are deeply intertwined with the agricultural cycle, and their livelihoods also depend on supply and pricing.

As we walked along the path full of curiosity about who was the most affected by this drastic change, we came across with this woman named Camela Morada, a 33 year-old dedicated vendor working at her small stall in the bustling market of Camalig, Albay.  

“Lately, I’ve had to raise the price of my product. The supply of coconuts is less than what it used to be, and it’s been a constant struggle for us, vendors, to find enough stock to sell every day to our customers,” Morada stated.

She added that the decline in coconut supply has pushed her into direct competition with fellow vendors just to secure a decent batch to sell.

She also shared that she has been selling coconut products such as coconut milk and whole nuts for almost 15 years already. Looking back, the field was filled with abundance of goods, but recently, they are experiencing an excruciating shortage in terms of supply which makes it harder for someone like her to sustain the business. The demand remains, but the coconut prices continue to rise, and the scarcity shows no sign of easing. 

“Coconut growers prefer selling their product as a copra rather than a bare whole nut compared to fresh nuts, because the prices there are significantly higher,” she added.

Morada reveals that most of the coconut farmers choose to sell their harvest as a copra because it fetches a higher price compared to selling fresh whole nuts. As a result, the supply of fresh coconut has decreased, causing market prices to rise significantly.

Echoed Struggles

As the once abundant coconut industry in Albay faces a growing crisis, the demand for coconut is continuously growing, and the prices are climbing rapidly in the market. The voices made by the vendors who rely on coconuts as a key ingredient for their product or service, screams a little bit louder amid struggle because of not enough supply of raw materials.

Joshua Balaguer, 26, is a vendor managing a decades-old pinangat business along the road of Camalig, Albay. He said that the price of coconut last year was just about P15 per piece, however, today there is a huge difference between its price because of the growing demand. Because of that, his business was forced as well to increase the prices so that he and his small business could survive. From the amount of P50 each, now, it starts to range from P60 per serving of pinangat. 

“We adjusted the price of our pinangat—we increased it,” Balaguer said.

Similarly, Anna Lisa Grageda, 52, who has been in the business since 2003, said she remembers buying coconuts for P8 each. Now, due to shortage—which results in growing demand, the prices have surged.

“They prefer copra over whole coconuts.” Grageda said.

Just like what Morada said, Grageda also sees this as one of the reasons why the prices of coconuts suddenly went up. Therefore, in order to cope up with it, she raised the price of her pinangat from P25 to P70 over time. She also noted that her inulukan dish, which uses coconut extract, followed the same pricing trend. 

According to a report by Philstar, published on February 8, 2024, there has been a noticeable decline in coconut production, and experts warn that the situation is expected to worsen if current climate patterns continue. Farmers are grappling with an increase in typhoons, longer droughts, and unpredictable weather conditions that are severely impacting the growth and yield of coconut trees.

The crack beneath husk: Plight of Coconut Industry

Selling ‘niyog’ in the bustling market of Camalig, Albay. | via Mikko Javier

The story of the vendors and retailers intrigued us to dig beneath the surface—to determine the reason why they are struggling to sustain their businesses. As we continue our journey of discovery and in depth investigation regarding this issue, we have found out the reason why the demand and prices continue to rise. 

The coconut farmers pointed out that extreme heat is one of the main reasons for the decline in coconut production. They explained that lack of rainfall results in limited water supply for the trees, which directly affects the number of fruits they can produce. Moreover, they also shared that the age of the trees might be a factor that leads to the undersized coconuts after harvest.  Taller and older coconut trees would not be able to absorb as much water, which might explain why the coconuts are small and its fruits continue to drop.

On the lense of Opeña, the intense heat affects the quality and quantity of the coconuts. She said this kind of crisis is a heavy burden for them, as they rely on coconut farming.

Meanwhile, PCA’s expert stated that this has to do with the pests, such as the presence of Blounts, a pest currently observed in Albay. Based on Rempillo, blount specifically attacks young coconut seedlings, causing the buds to dry out and weakening the plant as its earliest growth stage. While the current impact in Albay is reported to be limited, the potential coconut stock remains significant.

Climate change also plays a central role in declining coconut productivity. Scorching heat caused by prolonged dry spells stresses coconut trees, leading to smaller coconut sizes and lower copra content. These harsh weather conditions weaken the tree’s overall resilience and productivity, posing long-term risks to coconut farming in Albay.

Equally critical is the poor nutritional condition of the soil in many coconut farms. Decades of mono-cropping and the absence of effective soil enrichment practices have led to nutrition depletion. A study titled “Soil Fertility Assessment and Management for Coconut in the Philippines” by the Philippine Coconut Authority and Bureau of Soils and Water Management found that the lack of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—along with diminished organic matter prevents coconut trees from reaching their optimal growth and yield. Without interventions such as replanting, pest control, and soil rehabilitation, these combined production issues threaten the sustainability of the country’s coconut industry.

This supply crunch from the farms directly affects vendors like Morada, Balaguer, and Grageda who already struggle with limited and overpriced stock. The ripple effect of extreme weather and low productivity exposes the vulnerability of the entire coconut value chain—from farmer to market.

Farmers and vendors have been caught in the coconut supply chain crisis. Not because of the economic choices made by others, but because of the disruptive impact of climate change, which forces certain individuals to make hard decisions to simply survive—to never let their only hope vanish.

Rooted in Life: Coconut’s Role and Riches

An image of a cow quietly living in the green field of Quirangay, Albay, with a dwarf coconut peeking in the back | via Jay Ann Nierva

Agriculture plays a crucial role in the lives of many Filipinos. For countless families who lived in the country, this field is more than just a livelihood—for them it is a way of life. Farming not only brings food on their table, but it also provides an income to meet the needs of their families.

According to Rempillo, Agriculturalist II at the PCA, the coconut is referred to as the “Tree of Life” because almost every part of it has a function, from its leaves down to its roots. He also emphasized that this raw material is essential in the production of both food and non-food items. As an example, he noted that coconuts in the region are commonly processed into copra, which is a key ingredient in manufacturing oils. This crop is truly an all-in-one-fruit with uses ranging from food to non-food uses.

Meanwhile, Sofia Josephine I. Bucad, Acting Division Chief of the PCA, said that coconut comes in different varieties. It’s not just a single type with the same fruit size, production rate, and growth pattern. She stated that coconuts are generally categorized into three types, each possessing distinct characteristics that set them apart. She vividly describes dwarf coconuts as the smallest variety that sometimes reach medium height, producing smaller fruits. The local coconut is a medium-sized variety, often referred to as the traditional one, which is a mixture of both dwarf and tall varieties. Lastly, the tall coconut is the tallest among the three and is the most commonly seen in the region.

The coconut, which has long been called the “Tree of Life,” has always been essential to many Filipinos’ everyday lives, culture, and economic uses, particularly in the lush Albay region.  This once-thriving icon of resistance is now at a crossroads as a result of the convergence of climate change, bad farming techniques, pests, and economic difficulties. 

In order to ensure that coconut output continues despite climate change, the Philippine Coconut Authority’s rapid breeding program focuses on choosing parent plants that are resilient to these challenges. These developments may contribute to maintaining the coconut industry’s economic strength and ecological equilibrium.

Despite the calamity, there is still hope. There is still time to cultivate the roots of this important tree through scientific advancement, environmentally friendly farming practices, and increased public awareness.  For the people who rely on this crop for sustenance, adopting climate-resilient cultivars, investing in soil and pest management, and supporting local farmers are not only technical fixes—they are lifelines.  

Preserving a way of life, paying tribute to the work that goes into each nut collected, and guaranteeing that future generations can continue to enjoy the benefits of this ever-giving tree are all part of maintaining the Tree of Life. Together, in order to act with empathy and urgency, anyone can support the Tree of Life’s recovery .

Watch the full documentary: “Albay’s ‘Tree of Life’ Struggles to Thrive Amid Climate Change” (https://youtu.be/aXLwk6cHq6M?feature=shared)