Negros Oriental, November 5 --- The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Negros Oriental conducted the province’s second coconut industry stakeholders’ forum on November 5, 2020 via Zoom teleconference. The forum was participated by coconut producers, processors and representatives from different government agencies and local government units.

“This [forum] is an avenue for information exchange, coordination, and participation between and among the coconut industry stakeholders and the different government agencies,” PCA Administrator Benjamin Madrigal Jr. said in his message during the activity.

Madrigal emphasized the importance of the regular conduct of coconut industry stakeholders’ fora, as the stakeholders’ regular active participation and inputs are vital to PCA’s policy and project planning and implementation.

The open forum was facilitated by Administrator Madrigal, PCA VII Acting Regional Manager Brendan Trasmonte, and PCA Negros Oriental Acting Chief Hamlet Tomaroy.

Participants raised their suggestions, concerns and inquiries pertaining to the coconut industry, such as low copra price, coco levy trust fund bill, and the establishment of a CocoHub in the province.

“A forum such as this allows concerned government agencies to create more effective results and to deliver better services to our respective stakeholders as we are able to match our targets and timelines for such,” Madrigal added.

Also part of the forum program was the oathtaking of the Negros Oriental province Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board (MSAB), who will serve as representatives of various coconut industry sectors in the province. ### (PCA VII)