The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), conducted the Eastern Samar Coconut Industry Coordination Meeting at the DAR Conference Hall at Borongan City, Eastern Samar, on November 26, 2019.

Technical working group of Eastern Samar, composed of coconut stakeholders and representatives from various government agencies

The coordination meeting was participated by coconut stakeholders in the province, together with other government agencies concerned, such as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Department of Agriculture (DA).

The purpose of the meeting was the creation of a Coconut Industry Council which will assist coconut farmers, industry stakeholders, and government agencies concerned, in order to have a stable coconut industry in the province. This would be achieved by the development of coconut products, together with a competitive marketing scheme, which would help address the meager income of the coconut farmers. During the meeting, all stakeholders presented their individual concerns in the group discussion and analysis, which were used to develop an action plan.

By: Henry O. Duzon