2nd National Coconut Festival opens Aug 25

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) will spearhead the celebration of the 2nd National Coconut Festival and 2003 National Coconut Week on Aug. 24 to 30 at the PCA compound in Diliman, Quezon City. This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme "Niyog, Handog Pinoy sa Mundo."

PCA Administrator Danilo M. Coronacion explained that the theme highlights the unique role of the coconut as the country’s contribution to the world especially in promoting trade potentials, health benefits and in protecting and improving the environment.

The administrator said the celebration will formally open on Aug. 25 with street dancing and parade of colors around the Quezon Memorial Circle and a nationwide coconut tree planting. Producers from all over the country will showcase the best of the coconut in food and non-food products at the trade fair at the PCA Covered Court.

He explained that to create awareness on the vital role of the coconut in the country, several activities have been lined up. On Aug. 26, Industry Day there will be a symposium on "New Copra Classification and Coco-Kabuhayan, Handog sa Kabataan."

On Aug. 27, Research Development Extension Network and Academe Day, the health benefits of coconut will be presented in a forum on coconut "Better Nutrition & Good Health in the New Millenium". There will also be the launching of the Best Variety for Buko Juice, Virgin Coconut Oil: Pure is Cure; The Health Quality Flour from Coconut and Coconut RDE Investment Plans. On Aug. 28, there will be a cooking contest and feeding of street children. A seminar on coconut flour is also scheduled.

Coronacion said that on closing day – Aug. 29 – coconut farmers’ success stories and best practices will be the focus. Coconut Week is an annual event which pays tribute to the importance of the coconut industry of the country as mandated by Presidential Proclamation 142. The public is invited to discover for themselves the potentials of the coconut. There will also be activities in the 12 coconut regions.