Mariano Marcos
State University

PCA breaks ground for ₱20M coconut hub at MMSU

By Jareason Fabre

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), in partnership with Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), launched the construction of a ₱20-million Coconut Tissue Culture Facility through a ceremonial groundbreaking held along the Batac-Paoay National Road at the MMSU Batac Campus.

Leading the ceremony were PCA Administrator Dexter R. Buted, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis, CHED Commissioner Ricmar P. Aquino, MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., and DPWH Region I Regional Director Ronnel M. Tan, represented by Engr. Allan N. Hufana.

The project was approved during a meeting between Dr. Manzano and Dr. Buted in May this year, and was promptly set in motion in line with their shared “aksyon agad” (act fast) mantra.
Dr. Buted, a former state university president, reiterated his commitment to strengthening partnerships with the academe. “By working hand in hand with our universities, we ensure that science and technology directly serve our farmers. This facility will not only boost coconut production but also nurture innovations that benefit communities,” he said. He added that the project targets the production of 500 thousand trees this year, with expansion to one million by next year. 

CHED Chairperson Agrupis, herself a biologist, welcomed the establishment of the facility. “This initiative exemplifies how higher education institutions can serve as engines of inclusive development. With MMSU’s expertise, we can translate scientific breakthroughs into real opportunities for farmers and local communities,” she remarked,  while challenging MMSU to explore holistic and multidisciplinary approaches, including biotechnological interventions to enhance production.

For his part, Engr. Tan assured the project’s timely completion. “DPWH commits to deliver this facility by December 2025. We act with urgency because we know how much this means to our farmers and the local economy,” he stated.

President Manzano expressed gratitude to PCA and DPWH for their strong support. “We are excited to be a hub for coconut R&D in Northern Luzon. We will continue to seek more partnerships, including a proposed training facility in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, where coconut industry development is most promising. This project is just the beginning,” he said.

According to MMSU Research Director Dionisio Bucao, the Coconut Tissue Culture Facility forms part of a larger R&D program aimed at revitalizing and strengthening the coconut industry in Northern Philippines.
Also present at the event were City of Batac Vice Mayor Albert Chua, representing Mayor Mark Christian “Markee” Chua, and Pagudpud Mayor Raphael Ralph Benemerito, who both conveyed support for the facility and its initiatives. With the City of Batac hosting the facility and Pagudpud being a key coconut producer in the province, the leaders emphasized the importance of providing training and livelihood opportunities for farmers and local communities.

Other participants who attended the groundbreaking ceremony include former Secretary of Agriculture William Dar, Ilocos Norte Senior Board Member Rafael Chua, CHED RO1 Director Christine Ferrer,  PCA Regional Manager Mark Roy Macanlalay, second  MMSU President Santiago Obien, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College President Mario Obrero,  PCA Ilocos Norte Head Rose Anne Cabaloan, DPWH Ilocos Norte 2nd District Engineer James P. Ferrer, members of the MMSU Board of Regents, and other stakeholders.