KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) - Region XII hosted the 7th Regional Inter-Agency Technical Committee (RIATC) Meeting on September 12, 2024, bringing together representatives from multiple government agencies to review and advance ongoing projects under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).

In her opening remarks, PCA Regional Manager Emily Lorion thanked partners for their support during the recent Coconut Week celebration and emphasized that each Implementing Agency (IA) is on track to meet this year’s targets, underscoring the role of strong partnerships. Attendees included the newly appointed OIC Center Director of ATI-RTC XII, Dr. Jessie V. Beldia, who joined the session to offer insights into continued collaboration efforts.

The meeting showcased the accomplishments of various agencies under the CFIDP. Engr. Teofilo T. Jumawan, Jr., CFIDP Focal Alternate Point Person, presented the training achievements, while Information Officer II, John Lord Auman, highlighted ATI-RTC XII's advances in Strategic Communications. Both contributions underscored the commitment to enhancing knowledge dissemination and capacity-building among coconut farmers.

Representatives from CHED, Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC XII), National Dairy Authority (NDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office XII (DA-RFO XII) were present. The meeting focused on a thorough review of project outcomes from August, addressing any arising issues to ensure alignment across agencies and the seamless execution of their projects. This ongoing coordination marks a strategic step toward strengthening the coconut industry and supporting farmers across Region XII.