Coconut Webinar Series Caps this Year’s Coconut Month and 34th National Coconut Week Celebrations

The webinar series is in collaboration with the Coalition for Agriculture Modernization in the Philippines, Inc. (CAMP), a SEC-registered non-stock and non-profit NGO whose volunteer members are from agriculture, agribusiness, industry, academe, government, professional groups and international organizations.  The webinar series was launched on Monday, August 24, 2020 at the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) via zoom video conference and Facebook live with PCA Administrator Benjamin R. Madrigal, Jr.  

Senator. Cynthia A. Villar, chairperson of Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, keynoted the webinar series. She cited the coconut’s being  a tree of life, saying “Even coconut wastes are useful like the coconut husks which are being used to produce ‘coco nets’ which are used for slope protection and is 80% cheaper than cement.”  Department of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar underscored that the webinar series will “foster closer collaboration among our stakeholders and strategic partners.” Dr. Benigno D. Peczon, president of CAMP, stressed the importance of collaboration in furthering the growth of the coconut.

The following are the topics for each day of the webinar series and the respective topic speakers: Day 1: Going global with lambanog - Atty. Anthony C. Manguiat, CEO, Philippine Craft Distillers, Inc.; Day 2: Securing VCO’s place in the global functional food and health and wellness market - Mr. Marco Reyes, president, VCO Philippines; Day 3: Reviving the country’s oleochemical industry - Ms. Evelina L. Patiño, president and CEO, United Coconut Chemicals; Day 4: A fresh look at the major challenges confronting the coconut processing sector - Engr. Jesse F. Cheng, chairman Philippine Coconut Oil Producers Association; Day 5: Coconut-coffee towns - Ms. Pacita U. Juan, president and co-chair of the Philippine Coffee Board, Inc.

On the last day, August 28, the closing for the 34th National Coconut Week celebration, PCA will launch its transformation roadmap, which would steer a market-driven coconut industry towards a greater global reach and significance.