Philippine Coconut Authority - Davao Research Center

The Crops Research Division (CRD) of DOST-PCAARRD recently conducted the Annual Project Review and Evaluation for two (2) ongoing initiatives under the Coconut Hybridization Program (CHP) being implemented by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

The first project, “Profiling and Evaluation of Coconut Palms for National Coconut Hybridization through Hyperspectral Data and Image Analysis,” led by Joselito T. Francisco of PCA-Corporate Planning Service (PCA-CPS), established PCA’s capability in hyperspectral sensing, drone mapping, and geospatial analysis for coconut monitoring. It generated baseline spectral data for the country’s first coconut spectral library, supporting varietal identification, plant health assessment, and productivity estimation through precision agriculture.

The second project, “Soil and Leaf Nutrient Profiling of Coconut Hybrids in PCA Demonstration Farms,” led by W***y A. Mercullo Jr. of PCA-Davao Research Center (PCA-DRC), focuses on improving site-specific nutrient management through soil and leaf analysis. Preliminary fertilizer recommendations for Regions II, III, IV-A, IV-B, and VII were developed to enhance coconut hybrid productivity.

The activity was attended by key PCA officials, including Deputy Administrator for Research and Development Branch Annabelle B. Francisco, Deputy Administrator for Operations Branch Roel M. Rosales, Acting Head Executive Assistant Joseph Cezar L. Deligero, CPS Division Manager Ma. Odessa M. Pacaul, Laboratory Services Division (L*D) Chief Ma. Celia M. Raquepo, PCA-DRC Acting Department Manager Juvy T. Alayon, and the rest of the project teams. Also in attendance were Dr. Edwin R. Abucay and Mr. Rodolfo O. Ilao, who served as technical evaluators of the projects.

This activity was led by CRD Director Leilani D. Pelegrina together with Coconut ISP Manager Alissa Carol M. Ibarra, representatives from the Office of the Executive Director for Research and Development (OED-RD) and FAD-Accounting Section of DOST-PCAARRD, and the CHP team.

📸: Gian G. Nepomuceno

📢 Ｃｏｃｏｎｕｔ Ｐｅｓｔ Ａｗａｒｅｎｅｓｓ🌴🌴🌴

Healthy coconut palms start with awareness. Learn to identify common pests, understand their damage, and apply proper management to protect our farms and livelihoods.

🔍 Today’s Featured Pest: 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗹 (𝗔𝗣𝗪)

Let’s work together to protect our coconut industry! 📡🌴

📍 𝐑𝐃𝐁 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐂𝐀–𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫
📅 April 27, 2026

The PCA–Davao Research Center extended a warm welcome to our Deputy Administrator for the Research and Development Branch (RDB), 𝐃𝐫. 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐁. 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨, through a brief program led by Acting Department Manager II of PCA-DRC & Regional Manager III of PCA Region XI 𝐉𝐮𝐯𝐲 𝐓. 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐧. The key highlight of the welcome program was Dr. Francisco’s inspirational message, encouraging all PCA-DRC personnel to remain committed to excellence in research and service to work as one in achieving the shared goals of the organization.

Following the welcome program, Dr. Francisco toured the Center’s offices, laboratories, field areas, and other facilities, gaining insights into ongoing projects and operations.

A meeting with division heads, administrative, finance and technical staff was also held to discuss current initiatives, align priorities, and explore ways to further strengthen research and development efforts.

Her visit underscores PCA’s continued pursuit of innovation and collaboration in advancing the coconut industry. 🌴

📢 Ｃｏｃｏｎｕｔ Ｐｅｓｔ Ａｗａｒｅｎｅｓｓ🌴🌴🌴

Keeping our coconut palms healthy starts with understanding. Learn about common pests, their damage, and how to manage them to protect our farms and livelihoods.

🔍 Today’s Featured Pest: 𝐂𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐞 (𝐂𝐋𝐁) 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘢 (Gestro)

Let’s work together to protect our coconut industry! 📡🌴

🥥 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓱 𝓢𝓹𝓵𝓲𝓽 𝓜𝓪𝓬𝓪𝓹𝓾𝓷𝓸 𝓒𝓸𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓾𝓽 𝓐𝓿𝓪𝓲𝓵𝓪𝓫𝓵𝓮!

𝘼𝙫𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮
📍 First come, first served
📦 For pick-up only
💰 ₱25 per kilo

Don’t miss out!🌴Visit us at PCA Compound, Bago Oshiro, Tugbok District, Davao City

📢 Ｃｏｃｏｎｕｔ Ｐｅｓｔ Ａｗａｒｅｎｅｓｓ🌴🌴🌴

Protecting our coconut palms starts with awareness. Stay informed as we highlight common coconut pests, their impact, and effective management practices to safeguard our farms and livelihoods.

🔍 Today’s Featured Pest: 𝐂𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐭 𝐑𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐞 (𝐂𝐑𝐁)

Let’s work together to protect our coconut industry! 📡🌴

The Lenten season calls us to pause, reflect, and renew our faith. The Philippine Coconut Authority joins the nation in this sacred observance and profound journey inward.

May we find in the steadfast coconut tree a reflection of resilience, that is rooted and enduring in the face of life’s trials. As we observe Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Black Saturday, may these days of silence, sacrifice, unity, and prayer draw us closer to God and to one another.

Please be advised that PCA offices will be closed from April 2 to 4, 2026. May this Holy Week bring peace to your hearts, clarity to your minds, and renewed purpose to your days.

The 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 – 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 successfully culminated its National Women's Month 2026 celebration with a meaningful activity honoring the incredible women behind PCA-DRC. 💜🌸

The event was led by Acting Department Manager II 𝓙𝓾𝓿𝔂 𝓣. 𝓐𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓸𝓷, who delivered an inspiring message as a true woman leader. She was supported by Acting Division Chief III of the Agronomy, Soils, and Farming Systems Division and GAD Focal 𝓦𝓲𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓐. 𝓜𝓮𝓻𝓬𝓾𝓵𝓵𝓸, 𝓙𝓻., Acting Division Chief III of the Integrated Crop Protection Division 𝓜𝓪. 𝓒𝓱𝔂𝓻𝓮𝓵𝔂𝓷 𝓐. 𝓟𝓪𝓬𝓮, Acting Administrative Officer V 𝓟𝓪𝓬𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓪 𝓑. 𝓡𝓸𝓭𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓾𝓮𝔃, and the Head of the Coconut Hybridization Program in PCA-DRC 𝓡𝓸𝓮𝓵 𝓜. 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓵𝓪, who served as strong pillars behind her leadership.

The activity was further strengthened by the active participation and support of all men of PCA-DRC, reflecting unity and shared commitment to gender equality.

Highlights of the event for our dear women included the awarding of 𝕮𝖊𝖗𝖙𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖘 𝖔𝖋 𝕽𝖊𝖈𝖔𝖌𝖓𝖎𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓, and a heartfelt 𝖘𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖆𝖉𝖊 from the men with golden voices of PCA-DRC.

𝓐 𝓬𝓮𝓵𝓮𝓫𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓸𝓯 𝓼𝓽𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓽𝓱, 𝓰𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓮, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓮𝓶𝓹𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓻𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽 𝓽𝓻𝓾𝓵𝔂 𝓪 𝓶𝓮𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓪𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓽𝓻𝓲𝓫𝓾𝓽𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝔀𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓷!!