By Kenneth Marcos 
In a packed hall at the Coconut Enterprise Development Center in Davao City, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Administrator Dr. Dexter R. Buted addressed agency staff, setting the stage for a bold four-year plan to support Filipino coconut farmers.
During the second day of the PCA 2025 Year-End Assessment and Planning Conference, Dr. Buted outlined the agency’s “marching orders” for 2026–2029. His message emphasized addressing pressing challenges in the coconut sector, including an aging farmer population, senile palms, nutrient-deficient soils, climate risks, and increasing global competition.
“These realities must guide our plans. Our response must be strategic and forward-looking,” he said, urging all PCA units to align their programs with the agency’s core mandate and the needs of local farmers.
At the heart of the plan is the launch of Coco Academy, PCA’s new flagship program aimed at farmer empowerment and industry development. The initiative focuses on three impact pillars: Social Development and Welfare, Economic Empowerment, and Environmental Stewardship. It will be supported by all 14 agencies implementing the Coconut Farmers Integrated Development Program (CFIDP), ensuring a unified approach across the sector.
Dr. Buted also challenged central and regional offices to innovate and meet targets for PCA’s key programs, particularly the Massive Coconut Planting Program (MCPP) and the Coconut Fertilization Program (CFP). He stressed the importance of forming partnerships with public and private institutions, especially large coconut processing enterprises, to strengthen industry competitiveness.
Looking ahead, the Philippines will host the 52nd International CocoTech Conference (COCOTECH) in September 2026, drawing delegates from 31 member countries. Dr. Buted called for full institutional support to highlight the country’s coconut industry on the global stage.
To ensure quality and organizational excellence, he instructed an agency-wide expansion of ISO 9001:2015 certification, upgrade to HR Prime Gold, and preparations to reach at least Level 3 in the Philippine Quality Award (PQA) assessment.
Other key directives include:
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Establishing an Institutional Knowledge Management Unit and succession planning framework
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Implementing full geotagging of coconut farms
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Promoting coco-methyl ester (CME) production
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Strengthening smart agriculture research and pest management strategies
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Constructing the CocoMersyo Center for income generation and product promotion
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Launching a Community Extension Unit for outreach, extension services, and disaster relief
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Expanding the COINS awards to recognize contributions under CFIDP
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Ensuring compliance with the CPCS II and executing a Public Continuity Plan
The conference continues until December 5, with all PCA units tasked to translate these marching orders into detailed operational and budget plans for 2026, setting a strategic course for the next four years of Philippine coconut development.
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