Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization Division

25/08/2026

In celebration of PCA’s 𝟰𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, the PCA-RDB will be conducting an R4D Webinar with the Theme “𝙉𝙞𝙮𝙪𝙜𝙆𝙖𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙣: 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙪𝙩 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚, 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙮, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙥 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨” to be held on 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝟴:𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗠 – 𝟭𝟮:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠, via 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

The webinar aims to facilitate the transfer and dissemination of knowledge products on
recent coconut R&D programs, technologies, and practices, from the industry experts to the
coconut farmers and other key industry stakeholders.

The topics for presentation/discussion are the following:

1. Food Safety and Quality Assessment of Fresh “Buko” Products
by Dr. Elmer-Rico E. Mojica, Professor, Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, PACE University;

2. Unlocking Opportunities of Coconut Biomass Through Science, Utilization and Value Addition
by Mr. Christopher Andrew Bilbao, RCh, Sr. Science Research Specialist, DOST-ITDI;

3. Integrated Pest Management: Practical Solutions for Major and Emerging Coconut Pests
by Dr. Celia D.R. Medina, Professor, UP Los Banos, Laguna

𝗧𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻, 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸:
https://tinyurl.com/PCA-NIYUGKAALAMAN

After registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom link for the webinar. This is a free webinar, however, the Zoom link cannot be shared with others; hence, registration is required.

19/08/2026

Join us at World Coconut Day 2026! The joint-event between the International Coconut Community in collaboration with the North Sulawesi Provincial Government.
🌴 “Coconuts in Times of Uncertainty: Securing Food, Energy, and Livelihoods”
📆 October 7-10
📍 Courtyard by Marriot, Manado, Indonesia

🗒 International Conference: Global Research & Policy Innovation
🗒 B2B Meetings: Facilitate Trade & Investment
🗒 Global Exhibition: Showcasing Coconut Products & Technology
🗒 Capacity Building: Empowering Local Stakeholders
🗒 Signature Cultural Highlight: International Choir Competition (Coconut Songs)

12/08/2026

[𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟐] 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐂𝐀-𝐙𝐑𝐂

The second day of the activity featured a field visit and project validation at the Philippine Coconut Authority–Zamboanga Research Center (PCA-ZRC), covering the PCA-ZRC Field Genebank and research facilities. The activity included the validation of several ongoing DOST-PCAARRD-funded projects implemented by the Plant Genetic Resources, Conservation and Utilization Division (PGRCUD) and the Non-Food Products Development Division (NFPDD), as well as an assessment of the current status of the Coconut Scale Insect (CSI).

The visit provided an opportunity for researchers, project leaders, and partner institutions to assess project implementation and accomplishments, particularly the significant progress achieved during the third year of project implementation. The activity also facilitated discussions on project progress, field conditions, and continuing research interventions toward the sustainable management of CSI and the advancement of the Philippine coconut industry.

12/08/2026

[𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟏] 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

The Philippine Coconut Authority–Zamboanga Research Center (PCA-ZRC) hosted the Inception Meeting of CSI Program II, “Leveraging Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Management of the Invasive Coconut Scale Insect,” together with a field visit on August 6–7, 2026. The activity was spearheaded by the DOST-PCAARRD Crops Research Division (CRD), headed by Dr. Leilani D. Pelegrina, Director of CRD.

The two-day activity brought together researchers, project leaders, and partner institutions to strengthen collaboration and advance research and development initiatives addressing the Coconut Scale Insect (CSI), 𝘈𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘴 Reyne. The event was also attended by Dr. Aldrin A. Darilag, Department Manager of the PCA Program Management Office (PMO), together with representatives from DOST Region IX and WESMAARRDEC.

The inception meeting formally launched CSI Program II, comprising seven project components and headed by Dr. Celia dR. Medina of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). The program will be implemented collaboratively by PCA Research Centers, Visayas State University (VSU), De La Salle University (DLSU), and UPLB, focusing on key areas including climate-sensitive detection and management, genetic characterization, evaluation of coconut germplasm for resistance, innovative control strategies, fertilizer management, biological control, and information dissemination and capacity building.

The activity served as an important platform for strengthening partnerships, aligning research efforts, and advancing science-based strategies toward the sustainable management of CSI and the protection and development of the Philippine coconut industry.

Together, through science, technology, and innovation, we continue to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the coconut sector.

23/07/2026

Congratulations for bagging 1st Place on Best Research Poster (Basic Category) for this year's National Fruit Symposium for the entry of Angelo James Laguardia with Ranel T. Prato, Fritchie Anne C. Tajaran, Monique Marie C. de la Vega, Gilbert M. Eslit, Jessiemar D. Cabasag, Gerardo B. Baylon, Christopher DV. Dela Cruz, Anand Noel C. Manohar, and Consorcia E. Reaño of UPLB-iCrops and ZRC-PGRCUD!

12/07/2026

Checkout the poster entry of Senior SRS Jessiemar Cabasag together with Monique Marie C. de la Vega, Via L. Ouano, Neil Martin I. Mendoza,
Gilbert M. Eslit, and Gerardo B. Baylon of PGRCUD for this year's National Fruits Symposium! 😉

ASSESSMENT OF FRUIT, NUT, AND COPRA YIELD POTENTIAL OF NEW COCONUT HYBRIDS

Jessiemar M. Cabasag*, Monique Marie C. de la Vega, Via L. Ouano, Neil Martin I. Mendoza,
Gilbert M. Eslit, and Gerardo B. Baylon

12/07/2026

Checkout the poster entry of Angelo James Laguardia with Ranel T. Prato, Fritchie Anne C. Tajaran, Monique Marie C. de la Vega, Gilbert M. Eslit, Jessiemar D. Cabasag, Gerardo B. Baylon, Christopher DV. Dela Cruz, Anand Noel C. Manohar, and Consorcia E. Reaño under PGRCUD for this year's National Fruit Symposium

UNDERSTANDING COCONUT (Cocos nucifera L.) FLORAL PHENOLOGY: DETERMINATION OF ACCESSION-SPECIFIC FLORAL BEHAVIOUR ON SOME DWARF AND TALL
ACCESSIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Angelo James Laguardia1,2*, Ranel T. Prato1,2,Fritchie Anne C. Tajaran1, Monique Marie C. de la Vega1,2, Gilbert M. Eslit2, Jessiemar D. Cabasag2, Gerardo B. Baylon2, Christopher DV. Dela Cruz1, Anand Noel C. Manohar1 and Consorcia E. Reaño1

12/07/2026

12/07/2026

Congratulations for bagging 2nd Place Best Paper during this year's CSSP National Scientific Conference for the Research Paper Entry of Mr. Joel Gerone B. Larupay, Luzminda L. Nercuit, Christabelle Bayot, Jenelie Caminan, and Gerardo B. Baylon!

25/01/2026