QUEZON CITY— The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) highlights the vital role of innovation, collaboration, and transformation to empower the country’s vibrant coconut industry during the International Development Partners and Stakeholders’ Forum held 30 June 2023 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City.

In celebration of its 50th Founding Anniversary with the theme, “PCA@50: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future of the Philippine Coconut Industry”, the PCA gathered more than 100 delegates from industry players, stakeholders, investors, experts, and coconut farmers in one venue to strengthen partnership, foster collaboration, and synergize towards progressive, sustainable, and globally competitive coconut industry.

For INNOVATION, PCA aims to revolutionize the way coconuts are cultivated, processed, and utilized. Through innovation, they strive to enhance productivity, quality, and efficiency, which ensures the long-term success of coconut farmers, processors, and industry players.

For COLLABORATION, PCA will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and best practices, creating a dynamic platform for learning and growth. Through collaboration, there will be opportunities to tackle challenges and co-create sustainable solutions that benefit the entire coconut ecosystem.

For TRANSFORMATION, PCA will transform the coconut industry into a modern, inclusive, and resilient sector. Through transformation, coconut farmers will be empowered with knowledge, skills, and resources to elevate their livelihoods, while ensuring environmental sustainability and social equity.

 In a closing statement delivered by the PCA Administrator Bernie F. Cruz, he emphasized the future areas of collaboration.  

“Ways forward really from here is that what I have been saying a while ago is convergence. So we will not lose the market while we are still number one. What we need is to produce more by helping each other, produce more raw materials so that we can be as Secretary Dar said, we can be efficient in our productivity, in our processing so we can be competitive in the world market,” Administrator Cruz said.

PCA is the sole government agency that is tasked to develop the coconut industry to its full potential in line with the new vision of a united, globally competitive, and efficient coconut industry. (JLB/PIA-PMD)