NAVAL, Biliran (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry - Biliran Provincial Office conducted a two-day workshop on Green and Gender Responsive Value Chain Analysis (GGRVC) on High-Value Coconut Products (HVCP) in the province on November 7-8 at the Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) Hostel, Naval, Biliran.
The said activity aims to develop and enhance HVCP for resource and gender-based processing economic activity with active community participation and involvement.
Participants were able to draft a map from the production and processing stage up to the recent market situation of the priority products under HVCP which includes coco sugar, coco coir/peat, Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) and other coco-based products.
They were also able to identify the Strength, Weaknesses, Opputunities and Threats (SWOT) and came up with strategies as well as possible programs for national government agencies.
In addition, they were also equipped with the importance of greening businesses and various functions of value chain, most importantly they have created a Strategic Plan for HVCP value chain promotion.
In his welcome message, Dany Ramos, provincial coconut development officer of Philippine Coconut Authority - Biliran emphasizes the 50-year CFIDP Program intended solely for the coconut farmers.
Rebecca M. Cormanes, supervising senior trade-industry development specialist of DTI Biliran discussed the objectives and expected outputs of the activity. She also oriented the participants on the goals and principles of the Local Economic Development - Women Economic Empowerment (LED-WEE).
Meanwhile, Romeo L. Dignos, director of DOST - Biliran Provincial Science and Technology Center, elaborated the interventions and support projects of their department that the farmers/processors could avail of. Dignos also explained the requirements for registering FDA-Licence to Operate and ensures the farmers with their continued support aligned to research and development of HVCP.
Faustino V. Gayas Jr., provincial director of DTI-Biliran emphasized that the said activity is conducted to support the Coconut Farmers Integrated Development Plan (CFIDP) in accordance to the Republic Act 11524 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act (CFITFA) where DTI implements the research, marketing and promotion. Gayas also ensures the commitment of DTI to the development of HVCP in the province.
Hector Bryan P. Grama, associate professor of the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas Tacloban facilitated the two-day GGRVCA workshop. (DTI Biliran)
