SIQUIJOR, October 23 --- The Philippine Coconut Authority Siquijor hosted its first Provincial Coconut Industry Stakeholders' Forum on October 23, 2020 via Zoom. The event was actively participated by farmer leaders, local government unit (LGU) representatives, cooperatives, representatives from national government agencies (NGA), and the academe.

Zoom participants of the Siquijor Provincial Coconut Industry Stakeholders’ Forum

PCA VII Acting Regional Manager Brendan Trasmonte said that the valuable contributions and ideas given by the province’s coconut industry stakeholders will pave way for project proposals which will prove beneficial in making the coconut industry in Siquijor province more progressive.

PCA presented the current programs and projects being implemented by PCA VII, as well as the current status of the coconut industry in the province.

Issues and other relevant concerns pertaining to the coconut industry were raised and discussed during the open forum.

The forum panel was composed of Acting RM Trasmonte, Project Development Officer IV (PDO IV) Aurora Paquibot, PCA Siquijor Acting Provincial Chief Hamlet Tomaroy, and Senior Agriculturist Marita Somido to answer the participants’ questions and concerns. In addition, ideas and suggestions were expressed in this forum indicating that the stakeholders are dedicated in the crafting of the coconut development plan in the province.

The next provincial forum is initially set in the first week of November 2020 with the goal of reaching out to more stakeholders to join. ### (PCA VII)