By Kenneth Marcos 
Inside a bright, bustling training room in Quezon City, leaders from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) gathered to take a bold step forward—not just for the coconut sector, but for every farmer, worker, and woman whose voice often goes unheard.
On October 16–17, 2025, the PCA held a two-day workshop at its Central Office to develop its 6-Year Gender and Development (GAD) Agenda. This roadmap aims to guide the agency in making its programs more inclusive and responsive to the needs of both men and women working in the coconut industry.
The event brought together GAD officers and representatives from PCA’s central and regional offices. Their goal: to create a unified plan that supports gender equality in all of PCA’s policies and projects over the next six years. The effort is in line with national policies and is seen as a major push to make the coconut industry more inclusive and sustainable.
Leading the discussions was Dr. Jhamie Tetz Infante-Mateo of the National GAD Resource Pool. Participants took part in intensive planning sessions, group workshops, and open forums. Together, they outlined how the PCA can better support women in farming communities while promoting equal opportunities across the board.
PCA Administrator and CEO Dr. Dexter R. Buted said the agency’s commitment to gender equality goes beyond just paperwork—it’s about building a better, fairer future for all. “Mainstreaming gender perspectives is about fairness, empowerment, and building a nation that values inclusivity,” Dr. Buted shared. “It reflects our broader vision of participatory and people-centered governance.”
Ms. Ma. Odessa M. Pacual, Division Manager of the Corporate Planning Services and head of the PCA GAD Secretariat, stressed the importance of turning ideas into action. “This activity proves our shared responsibility to embed gender responsiveness in every part of our work,” she said. “We are shaping a more inclusive agency—one that values the contributions of both men and women in building a stronger coconut industry.”
The activity comes shortly after PCA received national recognition from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). In 2024, PCA ranked 9th among government corporations with the highest budget for client-focused GAD programs, and 7th for organizational-focused GAD initiatives. These achievements show how the agency is leading by example in promoting gender equality in agriculture.
The new 6-Year GAD Agenda aims to build on that success by setting clear, measurable goals that support women in rural communities, strengthen participation in leadership, and ensure equal access to training, resources, and opportunities in coconut farming and production.
In a sector where many women work behind the scenes—planting, harvesting, or managing home-based coconut processing businesses—the PCA’s efforts could help bring those contributions into the spotlight.
As the country moves toward more inclusive development, the PCA’s long-term commitment sends a strong message: every Filipino deserves a fair chance to grow and succeed, regardless of gender.
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