Tikad - PRDP RPCO XII

𝐃𝐀-𝐏𝐑𝐃𝐏 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞-𝐔𝐩 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫-𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Calling all coffee lovers, this is your chance to taste and select the best coffee from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao as the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-Up is showcasing the country’s thriving coffee sector through the participation of 13 farmer organizations and enterprises at the Philippine Coffee Expo (PCE) 2026 from June 5 to 7 at the SPACE, One Ayala Mall, Makati City.

With this year’s theme, “Creating Shared Ground,” the expo brings together coffee farmers, processors, roasters, traders, entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, and coffee enthusiasts on a shared platform that promotes collaboration, innovation, and growth across the Philippine coffee industry.

The DA-PRDP Scale-Up exhibit features coffee products from proponent groups representing major coffee-producing areas across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. These organizations have benefited from the Project’s strategic investments and interventions.

According to DA-PRDP National Deputy Project Director Angelita D. Martir, events such as the Philippine Coffee Expo play an important role in strengthening partnerships and expanding opportunities for farmer organizations and rural enterprises.

“The Philippine Coffee Expo provides valuable opportunities for DA-PRDP beneficiary farmers, enterprises, buyers, and industry partners to build lasting relationships, exchange knowledge, and explore new market opportunities. These connections are essential in strengthening the Philippine coffee industry and creating sustainable growth for farming communities,” Martir said.

Collectively, the participating organizations showcase the diversity of Philippine coffee, from highland Arabica varieties grown in the Cordillera region to Robusta and specialty coffee products cultivated in Southern Philippines.

Their participation highlights the growing capacity of farmer-led enterprises to produce market-ready products while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.

Joining the Department of Agriculture’s overall participation in the expo are three additional coffee exhibitors supported by the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS).

Also present at the event are PSO Mindanao Cluster Project Director Macario D. Gonzaga and DA-RFO XI Regional Technical Director Marie Ann M. Constantino, who joined industry stakeholders in supporting initiatives that promote the growth and competitiveness of the Philippine coffee industry.

Highlighting the importance of collaboration across the coffee value chain, Philippine Coffee Expo 2026 Director Gabriel Villegas emphasized the event’s role in fostering meaningful industry connections.

“The Philippine Coffee Expo is about the people behind coffee. By bringing together stakeholders from across the value chain, we create a shared space where relationships, knowledge, and opportunities can grow, ultimately strengthening the entire Philippine coffee industry,” Villegas said.

Throughout the three-day event, visitors can explore coffee exhibitions, industry forums, business matching activities, cupping exchanges, brewing demonstrations, networking sessions, and barista competitions designed to foster knowledge-sharing and strengthen linkages among stakeholders across the coffee value chain. # # #

𝐏𝐒𝐎 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐋𝐆𝐔 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭-𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐏𝐑𝐃𝐏 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞-𝐔𝐩 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬|

DAVAO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Project Support Office (PSO) Mindanao convened a Joint Technical Assistance Meeting with the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Cotabato to expedite the processing of three proposed infrastructure subprojects under the PRDP Scale-Up.

The activity brought together technical teams from PSO Mindanao, RPCO XII, and the PLGU of Cotabato to address compliance requirements and provide direct technical guidance necessary for the completion of documentary and technical submissions.

The meeting was conducted in response to the agreements reached during the recent I-BUILD Coordination Meeting with the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO), which emphasized the need to fast-track the processing of eligible subprojects. Participants were also informed that the available funding allocation for PRDP Scale-Up proposals is nearing depletion, making timely compliance and submission of requirements crucial as subproject approvals are being processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Discussions focused on the Province of Cotabato’s proposed subprojects, namely the Concreting of Sitio Campo, Barangay Malapag-Macabenban Farm-to-Market Road in Carmen, Cotabato; the Concreting of Napanlahan-Dallag Farm-to-Market Road in Arakan, Cotabato; and the Construction of the Arakan Potable Water System Level II.

Through the joint technical assistance meeting, the project teams were able to identify and address key requirements needed to facilitate the timely completion and submission of compliance documents, ensuring that the proposed subprojects remain on track for evaluation and funding consideration under the PRDP Scale-Up.

The initiative underscores PRDP’s continuing commitment to assisting local government units in advancing priority rural infrastructure investments that improve agricultural productivity, market accessibility, and access to basic services in rural communities. (Joy M. Montecalvo, PSO Mindanao)

| I-BUILD Gathers RPCOs to Discuss Fast-Tracking of Priority Subprojects |

The Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up continues to push for the timely implementation of infrastructure projects in Mindanao as the Project Support Office (PSO) convened the Regional Project Coordination Offices (RPCOs) during the first day of the PSO-RPC I-BUILD Mindanao Cluster Technical Assessment and Planning Workshop.

The workshop served as a venue to assess the status of the remaining I-BUILD funds under PRDP Scale-Up, including updates on the 19 priority subprojects across the Mindanao Cluster.

PSO Mindanao Project Director Macario D. Gonzaga opened the activity with a strong reminder on the importance of adhering to project guidelines and procedures to ensure transparency and accountability in project implementation.

“Let us view compliance not as a burden, but as a commitment to excellence and good governance,” Gonzaga said. “By continuously learning and complying with established guidelines, we protect the integrity of our projects and ensure that every infrastructure investment genuinely benefits our communities.”

Meanwhile, PSO Mindanao Deputy Project Director Carlene C. Collado, CPA, discussed the specific issues and concerns affecting compliance across various reviewing units. Collado emphasized the urgency of fast-tracking compliance requirements, noting that the fund allocation under the PRDP Scale-Up has already been depleted.

He also encouraged heads of components and units to actively participate in the discussions to help clarify pending concerns and facilitate faster approvals.

Another key topic tackled during the workshop was the updating of data in Sidlan, which plays a vital role in monitoring the progress of subprojects. Representatives from the RPCOs engaged in an interactive discussion with the PSO to raise questions and address concerns related to project implementation and reporting.

The workshop also reviewed the status of four subprojects currently under procurement, aside from the recently issued No Objection Letter 1 (NOL1) subprojects. These include the Concreting of Cabinohan-Mauswagon-Freedom Farm-to-Market Road in Region 10; the Rehabilitation of Daliedigon-Raiton Farm-to-Market Road with Bridge in Region 11; the Concreting of Maan-Datal Tablo FMR in Region 12; and the Concreting of Malixi to Sitio Pamintigan, Hinagdanan Farm-to-Market Road in Region 13.

The activity underscores PRDP’s continuing commitment to strengthen coordination among implementing units and accelerate the delivery of infrastructure projects that will improve rural accessibility and benefit farming and fishing communities across Mindanao.

RPCOs will be reporting the status of their subprojects tomorrow. (Joy Montecalvo,PSO Mindanao)

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | 𝗣𝗥𝗗𝗣-𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗘 𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗦 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗔

Fresh from the 2026 South East Asia Green Coffee Competition: Philippines National Round in Bukidnon, coffee farmer Mario Joey Tacan and his wife, Thelma Tacan, visited the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office XII in Koronadal City on June 1, 2026, to proudly share their recent achievement.

Mario Joey Tacan was recognized for producing specialty Robusta coffee that garnered a score of 85.96, placing his entry among the Top 10 selected coffees in its category during the national competition held from May 29 to 31, 2026.

Their recognition highlights the growing competitiveness of Region XII's coffee industry and serves as an inspiration to fellow coffee farmers striving to produce high-quality, market-ready coffee. The achievement also reflects the potential of local coffee producers to excel in specialty coffee markets through dedication, innovation, and continuous quality improvement.

✏️📸 Ian Carbonell
🎨 Dyey Daquiado

𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗: https://tinyurl.com/yzabby93

𝗣𝗥𝗗𝗣 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦 | Watch the full video here:
https://tinyurl.com/bdhkvau6

"𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗖𝗦𝗞𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆."

𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝗕. 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗔𝗟, 𝗗𝗩𝗠
Project Director, DA-PRDP RPCO XII

💻 Ian Carbonell

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), through its Productivity and Development Center – Productivity Development Research Office (PDC-PDRO), conducted a series of data gathering activities in Koronadal, South Cotabato on May 14 to 15, 2026 as part of the “Study on the Formulation of the National Value Chain Analysis for Yellow and White Corn” under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP).

The activity included focus group discussions, key informant interviews, value-chain tracing, and in-person surveys aimed at gathering information on the current condition, challenges, and opportunities within the country’s corn industry.

The study seeks to develop an evidence-based framework that will guide policy, investment, and planning decisions to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience, and market orientation of the yellow and white corn sectors.

Data gathered from the field activities will be complemented by existing studies, annual reports, and information from the Department of Agriculture, Philippine Statistics Authority, and the Food and Agriculture Organization as part of the broader analysis of the national corn value chain.

✏️📸 Ian Carbonell
🎨 Dyey Daquiado

The DA-PRDP Project Support Office Mindanao conducted the Refresher Course for PSO, RPCOs, and LGUs on the Capacity Reinforcement and System Optimization Training for SIDLAN Users on May 19–22, 2026 at the Apo View Hotel, Davao City.
The activity aimed to strengthen the use of SIDLAN MIS 2.0 as the primary data repository, official database, and online monitoring platform of PRDP Scale-Up. Through the refresher course, participants from PSO Mindanao, RPCOs, and partner LGUs were oriented on updated guidelines, system functions, and user responsibilities, with particular focus on the LGU module.
In his message, PRDP PSO Mindanao Deputy Project Director Carlene C. Collado, CPA emphasized the importance of SIDLAN in tracking the status of proposals and compliance requirements, especially following the recent awarding of No Objection Letter 1 for 11 PRDP Scale-Up subprojects in Mindanao.
“The recent awarding of No Objection Letter 1 for 11 PRDP Scale-Up subprojects in Mindanao is a result of the close coordination among PSO Mindanao, the RPCOs, LGUs, and the NPCO. This shows what we can achieve when all levels work together to complete the necessary requirements and move our subprojects forward,” Collado said.

He added that SIDLAN MIS 2.0 plays an important role in sustaining this coordination by serving as the Project’s common reference and repository of information.

“SIDLAN is the base. Through the system, we are able to closely monitor the status of proposals, track documentary compliance, identify gaps, and coordinate the actions needed from PSO, RPCOs, LGUs, and NPCO. This helps us ensure that requirements are completed more efficiently and that subproject implementation is fast-tracked for the benefit of our rural communities,” he said.

The activity also served as a venue to generate feedback for enhancing PRDP’s monitoring and evaluation tools, while strengthening inter-regional collaboration and the sharing of best practices among partner LGUs. (by Joseph John Palarca | PSO Mindanao with photos from Maribel Ching)

𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗥𝗔 𝗧𝗢 𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗘-𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗦: 𝗖𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗢 𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚

For many coconut farmers in Cotabato, selling copra has long meant dealing with fluctuating prices and limited returns. But a recent training in General Santos sought to demonstrate how processing and improved market access could open new opportunities for producer groups in the province.

From May 11 to 14, 2026, the Office of the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator of Cotabato, together with the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Regional Project Coordination Office XII, conducted a Market Linkage and Training on White Copra Production.

The activity brought together government agencies, development partners, and cooperative leaders as part of efforts to strengthen the coconut value chain and help local producers move towards higher-value products.

Among those present were RPCO XII Project Director John B. Pascual and I-PLAN Component Head Nelly E. Ylanan, together with Philippine Coconut Authority Region 12 Regional Manager Eric C. Divinagracia. Representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agrarian Reform, PCA-Cotabato, and Agricultural Training Institute XII also joined the discussions.

Farmer cooperatives from across the province participated, including groups involved in coconut production, marketing, and agri-enterprise development.
Sessions focused on the changing dynamics of the coconut industry, from the current status of local production to price movements in domestic and international markets. Participants also discussed ways to improve product quality through post-harvest technologies and value-adding processes that could increase earnings for coconut producers.

A hands-on training session on coco water processing was also conducted, together with a benchmarking visit to Alabel, Sarangani, where participants observed village-type white copra production systems already in operation.

For organizers, the training was intended to do more than transfer technical knowledge. It also sought to connect farmer organizations with potential markets and demonstrate how cooperatives can play a larger role in processing and marketing, rather than serving solely as raw material suppliers.

Coconut remains one of Cotabato’s major agricultural commodities, but many small producers continue to face challenges linked to price volatility and limited access to processing facilities.

By introducing white copra production and market linkage, officials hope farmer groups can capture more value from their harvests and build stronger enterprises around one of the province’s most widely grown crops.

✏️ Ian Carbonell
📸 Dyey Daquiado