In a move to reinforce its strategic direction and performance accountability, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) successfully concluded the first leg of its Midyear Assessment and Planning Workshop, the Pre-Planning Workshop, held from June 3-5, 2025, in Iloilo City.

Gathering key PCA personnel from across the country, the three-day workshop focused on aligning operational targets, evaluating midyear performance, and developing responsive strategies to support the agency’s 2025 Performance Evaluation System (PES) commitments.

The Pre-Planning Workshop, as underscored by PCA Administrator and CEO, Dr. Dexter R. Buted in his message, serves as a key junction: “Hindi lang tayo nag-uulat ng datos dito. We are here to build resolve, to recalibrate our strategies, and above all, to remember who we serve.”

PCA chief’s message paid homage to grassroots coconut farmers, symbolized by “Ronald,” a young boy from Northern Samar who, despite harsh conditions, dreams simply of a better future, just like many of the industry’s unsung heroes.

The pre-planning phase focuses on six critical areas: Progress review of 2025 Performance Evaluation System (PES) commitments; Cascading the 2025 Annual Operational Plan (AOP) to regional units; Catch-up plans for lagging second-semester targets; Alignment of AOP and Officer Performance Commitment Review (OPCR) metrics; Refinement of PCA’s Monitoring and Evaluation System; Updating the PCA Risk Register to mitigate operational hurdles.

Through workshops, breakout sessions, and panel deliberations, each regional office presented their proposed catch-up plans, laying the groundwork for strategic recalibration in the second half of FY 2025. The emphasis transcends hitting the numbers, but on building a responsive system that promotes collaboration, precision, and proactivity.

This preparatory work is designed to gather essential data, insights, and preliminary plans, creating a robust framework for the subsequent midyear assessment. The output from this workshop will directly inform the second-half in July, which will conduct a comprehensive review of the first semester's accomplishments, identify implementation gaps, and formulate concrete corrective measures to achieve annual performance commitments.

By institutionalizing a two-phase midyear planning framework, the PCA reinforces its commitment to evidence-based planning, operational coherence, and nationwide responsiveness. The newly introduced automated systems and risk management tools also reflect the agency’s move towards digital transformation and strategic accountability.

ADRB emphasized a “no complacency” mandate, urging officials to “dare to disrupt” outdated systems. The CFIDP amendment, which secured expanded health and livelihood funding for farmers, was cited as a benchmark for aggressive policy advocacy.

The successful completion of the Pre-Planning Workshop marks a midpoint in the fiscal year, and signals a renewed momentum towards realizing the PCA’s vision of a resilient, empowered, and thriving coconut industry in the Philippines.