SLSU Joins National Drive for Massive Coconut Planting Under PCA’s 100-Million Tree Initiative
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), in a landmark move to reinvigorate the country’s coconut industry, spearheaded the signing of strategic agreements with local government units (LGUs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and civil society organizations for the implementation of the Massive Coconut Planting Program (MCPP) on October 22, 2025, at the Sequoia Hotel, Quezon City.
The ceremony marked the official consolidation of multi-sector efforts to realize President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of planting 100 million coconut trees by 2028, an initiative positioned at the core of the administration’s agricultural modernization and food security agenda.
PCA Administrator and CEO Dr. Dexter R. Buted called the collective commitment a “promise to plant, rehabilitate, and nurture life.” He underscored that the MCPP is not merely a replanting effort, but a national renewal movement that empowers coconut farmers and restores productivity to one of the country’s most vital agricultural sectors.
“When the President set the target of 100 million coconut palms, it was not just a numerical goal—it was a vision to breathe life back into rural economies, ensure sustainable livelihoods, and cultivate resilience in the coconut sector,” Dr. Buted shared in his address.
Representing the SUCs, Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) participated in the signing, with University President Dr. Jude A. Duarte and SLSU-Hinunangan Campus Director Mr. Wade C. Lim, reaffirming the university’s role in advancing sustainable agricultural innovation and rural transformation in Southern Leyte.
SLSU-Hinunangan Campus Director expressed that SLSU’s participation reflects its dedication to contributing research-driven, science-based solutions to local coconut farming challenges. “Our partnership with the PCA allows us to extend the impact of academic research beyond the campus and into the lives of farmers who depend on the coconut industry. This collaboration empowers communities while protecting the environment—a dual mission at the heart of our mandate as a state university,” he said.
Under the partnership, SUCs, such as SLSU, will lead in nursery management, technical supervision, and farmer training, while CSOs will facilitate the production, transport, and delivery of quality planting materials. The PCA, meanwhile, will oversee coordination, resource distribution, and performance monitoring to ensure transparent and effective implementation.
Dr. Buted shared that 8.6 million coconut seedlings were planted in 2024, with projected increases to 15.3 million in 2025 and 25.4 million annually from 2026 to 2028. The program will integrate hybridization initiatives and strengthen seed production systems to develop high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties that thrive amid changing environmental conditions.
Complementing the MCPP is the Coconut Fertilization Program (CFP) under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), which targets nutrient-deficient palms to improve long-term productivity and sustain growth in coconut-producing regions.
As part of the ceremony, partner institutions—including SLSU—signed a Pledge of Commitment signaling unified support for the PCA’s mission of fostering a Masagana, Maunlad, at Progresibong Bagong Pilipinas.
For SLSU, the initiative directly aligns with its sustainability agenda and its contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The university continues to promote agricultural resilience and ecological integrity in Southern Leyte through community-based replanting projects and environmentally sound farming practices.
The ceremony concluded with a shared affirmation that the future of the coconut industry depends on collective action—one that unites national agencies, local governments, and academic institutions toward a common goal of agricultural transformation.
With the MCPP now moving into full-scale rollout, the Philippines takes a decisive step toward building a sustainable, climate-smart, and inclusive coconut economy that sustains both farmers and the land they cultivate.
Photo Courtesy of Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)