The Department of Agriculture bureau, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in CALABARZON, championed the innovative and empowering coconut industry on November 18-22, 2025, through the Coco Fiesta and the Techno Gabay Program (TGP) Summit.
Coco Fiesta 2025
The Coco Fiesta 2025 took place on November 18-22, 2025, at SM City Trece Martires, Cavite. Anchored on the theme “Transforming Communities, Advancing Sustainability: Toward a Modernized Coconut Agriculture and Agribusiness Sector,” this five-day event aims to provide a platform for local exhibitors and innovators to market coconut-based products, technologies, and services—thereby expanding market access and income opportunities. It also seeks to empower farmers, cooperatives, and the public on emerging innovations and value-adding endeavors related to the coconut industry development.
This celebration featured 12 booths of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), mostly smallholder coconut farmers and associations across CALABARZON, showcasing coconut-based products, technologies, and services:
- SAMAWIN Coconut Farmers Agricultural Cooperative (Tayabas City)
- Quezon Federation and Union of Cooperatives (Pagbilao, Quezon)
- Mang Ed Handicraft (San Pablo City)
- Yakap at Halik Multi-Purpose Cooperative - Quezon II (Padre Burgos, Quezon)
- CocoPlus Aquarian Corporation (San Pablo City)
- Coco Deli (Candelaria, Quezon)
- Ilayang Talim Agriculture Cooperative (Lucena City)
- Alabat Island Farmers and Producers Cooperative (Alabat, Quezon)
- ProSource International, Inc. (San Pablo City)
- Mang Larry’s Original Suka at Lambanog (Liliw, Laguna)
- Rhudarda Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Polillo, Quezon)
- Magallanes Kaong Products (Magallanes, Cavite)
Alongside this is a technology forum participated in by over 150 farmers from different towns in Cavite. It was also open to mallgoers. Through resource persons from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region IV-A, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Design Center of the Philippines (DCP), and private extension partners of the ATI CALABARZON, farmers were able to learn about the homemade coconut value addition for health and hygiene, innovative uses of coconut waste for handicrafts, processing of functional coco-based food products, packaging and branding for coconut products, sustainable coconut agribusiness models, Coco Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) as farm tourism hub, and integrating coconut-based urban gardening.
TGP Summit
Simultaneously, the ATI CALABARZON, as the lead agency for the TGP, in partnership with the Cavite State University (CvSU), the Provincial Government of Cavite, and the Southern Tagalog Agriculture, Aquatic, and Resources Research Development and Extension Consortium (STAARRDEC), spearheaded the TGP Summit on November 19-21, 2025, at CvSU, Indang, Cavite.
The TGP Summit gathered implementers from across the region to strengthen collaboration, exchange best practices, and recognize outstanding contributions to the program. It also emphasized inclusive and sustainable agricultural transformation through innovation and multi-sectoral partnerships.
During the activity, the accomplishments and invaluable contributions of Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers and Magsasaka Siyentista in delivering agricultural technologies, digital innovations, and farmer-led extension systems in their localities were recognized.
By bringing together key stakeholders and promoting collaboration, the summit strengthened the capacity of local actors to respond to current challenges and contribute to the long-term goal of a resilient, inclusive, and modern coconut industry.
In his message, Dr. Rolando Maningas, ATI CALABARZON Center Director, expressed gratitude to partners, exhibitors, and coconut farmers for uniting as one to celebrate the vibrant coconut industry in the region.
“Patuloy naming ihahatid ang mga pagsasanay, teknolohiya, at oportunidad na magpapatibay sa kabuhayan at pangarap ng mga magniniyog. Ang Coco Fiesta, na sinimulan natin noong nakaraang taon sa lalawigan ng Quezon, ay isa lamang sa maraming paraan para maipamalas namin ang aming suporta, at sisiguraduhin naming mas marami pa tayong magagawa—hindi lang para sa industriya, kundi para sa bawat pamilyang umaasa sa biyaya ng niyog,” told Dr. Maningas.
He added that through these back-to-back events, the ATI CALABARZON reaffirmed its commitment to building resilient, sustainable, and forward-looking agricultural communities that thrive through innovation, collaborations, and shared purpose.
