QUEZON CITY (PIA)—The Philippine Coconut Authority is set to celebrate the 37TH National Coconut Week from August 22 to September 1 through activities showcasing local coco products such as heirloom recipes among others.

PCA Deputy Administrator Roel M. Rosales said during the Philippine Information Agency Press Conference held August 11 that the 2023 National Coconut Week themed “Coconut Industry Modernization: Pillar of a Resilient and Sustainable Nation” will be launched through a “Coco Foodfest”, featuring coco-based food products in a festive manner.

“I find it as a very good avenue to highlight that maybe it is also time to appreciate what is often served to us in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. What you would perhaps think of as an ordinary native fare such as kakanin na may kaunting budbod ng coconut, maybe something that is not well-appreciated because it is just there,” Deputy Administrator Rosales said.

Deputy Administrator Rosales also said that the agency promotes coconut-based food, especially local snacks in a bid for the public, especially the younger crowd to lessen fast food consumption and rediscover classic Filipino food.

He also said that National Coconut Week in particular aims to empower local industries whether in food or non-food products, in order to promote greater domestic utilization.

“More so than ever before, this is really the time to go local and patronize our own because we really need to support our coconut farmers. Especially in the time of food insecurity, there is a lot that the coconut industry can offer,” Deputy Administrator Rosales said.

“We want the Coconut week festivity to be the avenue for that (utilization), and we want that this event be promoted accordingly,” Rosales added.

PCA is also set to partner with the United Coconut Association of the Philippines through the conduct of a World Coconut Congress at the World Trade Center with experts from the US discussing coconut’s medical properties among others. (GG/PIA)