In support to the local coconut farmers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) together with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) will start a marketing initiative to address concerns on coco oversupply and price slump.

Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol, together with other officials from DA and PCA, will launch the Summer Coco Fest on March 14, 2019 at the DA’s Agribusiness Development Center (ADC).

The Coco Fest was conceptualized following the directives of the Secretary urging offices and agencies under DA to serve coconut water along with other fruit juices during meetings, as well as other DA-sponsored events all over the country.

The Department will also open a “Coco-Buko TienDA’ in front of ADC Showroom to allow Metro Manila consumers to avail of fresh buko and other coconut products from the CALABARZON Region. The said products will be part of the ADC Fresh Produce Sale from March 14 to March 15.

During the same time, a coconut-inspired exhibit will also be displayed at DA Central Office and PCA Lobby.

On March 21, DA regional offices will simultaneously launch their respective Coconut Marketing Areas to officially jumpstart the “Go Loco with Buko” marketing program for all government agencies particularly the local government units (LGUs), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DEPED), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED). This is in support to the advocacy, which goes with  the presidential declaration, proclaiming coconut water as the national drink. ###