News
As a strategic partner of ICC, the Philippines' government through the Philippines Coconut Authority (PCA) has made an invaluable contribution to sustainable coconut development. With the objective to discuss the various contribution and activities of the Philippines Coconut Authority (PCA) for the development of the coconut sector and the programs to be organized jointly by ICC with PCA for the current year 2021, ICC had organized a virtual meeting on 28 January 2021.
The Philippine Coconut Authority, represented by Mr. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., Administrator, Ms. Erlene C. Manohar, Deputy Administrator (R&D); and Mr. Roel Rosales, Deputy Administrator (Operations Branch). Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw, Executive Director led the ICC Secretariat team which was represented by Ms. Mridula Kotekatte, Assistant Director; Mr. Alit Pirmansah, Marketing and Statistics Officer; Mr. Klaudio Hosang, Administration & Finance Officer; and Mr. Otniel Sintoro, Information and Publication Officer.
Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw presented the ICC’s strategies to promote the positive attributes of coconut and counter unjustifiably negative campaign. The strategies included partnership, research and development, media campaign/publication, webinar, scientific discussion, and communication. She also presented the 2021 program and projects which included symposiums, trainings, seminars, technical assistance, and capacity buildings of ICC in which member countries could participate and gain benefits. In implementing the projects and programs, ICC also collaborates with some international organizations and donor agencies.
Mr. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., Administrator, Philippine Coconut Administrator, proposed some constructive inputs. He proposed strategic communication planning and reminded us that we should define the projected outcomes of the programs we organize, inventories of potency the member countries had, and the lead time in implementing the strategies and collaborative programs between the PCA and ICC.
Ms. Erlene C. Manohar, Deputy Administrator (R&D), presented the International Pest & Disease Management Symposium outline, which was supposed to convene in the Philippines during the third quarter of 2021 in association with ICC and if the present situation of Covid-19 continues, shall conduct virtually. Hopefully, it will be conducted along with the 47th PCA Anniversary and Coco Week in August 2021. Mr. Roel Rosales, Deputy Administrator (Operations Branch) shared his views on the restructuring of ICC Technical Working Group and assured full support of PCA.
There were in-depth and fruitful discussions on the upcoming ICC programs and the implementation. The meeting concluded with closing remarks by Ms. Mridula Kotekatte.