One hundred eighteen (118) Coconut Farmers Cooperatives (CFCs) with a total of three hundred seventy-two (372) participants from the Five (5) Provinces of Caraga Region actively participated the Capacity Building Training for Coconut Farmers Cooperatives (CFCs) entitled From Vision To Execution: Business Planning Simplified Training For Coconut Farmers Cooperatives all held at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, Butuan City.
This was conducted in four (4) batches:
| Batch | Date Conducted | No. of CFCs | No. of Participants |
| Batch 1 – Province of Agusan del Sur | July 14-16, 2025 | 30 | 87 |
| Batch 2 – Province of Surigao del Sur | July 17-19, 2025 | 30 | 100 |
| Batch 3 – Province of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands | July 21-23, 2025 | 20 | 64 |
| Batch 4 – Butuan City and Province of Agusan del Norte | July 24-26, 2025 | 38 | 121 |
| Total | 118 | 372 |
Opening the event with warmth and purpose, CDA Regional Director MONATAO HONEYA R. ALAWI, DPA delivered a heartfelt Message of Support that deeply resonated with participants, setting a tone of unity and shared commitment. In her address, she expressed profound gratitude to the cooperators who journeyed from various municipalities to take part in the training—acknowledging their dedication as a powerful testament to the cooperative spirit. Director Alawi went on to emphasize the transformative value of the training initiative, encouraging attendees to reflect meaningfully on their past experiences, align their aspirations with a clear vision, and channel these insights into strategic business planning. Her words not only celebrated the participants’ willingness to grow, but also reaffirmed the CDA’s continued support in empowering cooperatives across the region.
Ms. Demelyne B. Gabales, Senior CDS of CPDAS, demonstrated exceptional leadership as she masterfully facilitated the Introductory Activities, delivered a compelling and insightful rationale for the training, and effectively guided participants through a thoughtful expectation-setting exercise—promoting alignment, clarity of purpose, and shared goals among all attendees.
In her rationale, Ms. Gabales emphasized the critical role of Capability Building in Enterprise Development, particularly in the foundational planning phase that precedes any venture. She highlighted that a well-crafted business plan serves not only as a strategic roadmap but also as a vital decision-making tool that steers entrepreneurs toward sustainable growth and success. Furthermore, she acknowledged the inevitable challenges that cooperatives face in the course of their journey, underscoring the importance of proactive planning and capacity-building to prevent setbacks that could potentially lead to business failure and closure.
The four batches of training sessions were conducted with remarkable energy and enthusiasm by two exceptional resource speakers: Mr. Mikie D. Villanueva (on the right) from the Department of Trade and Industry, and Mr. Jason C. Balacuit (on the left), a highly respected consultant and private practitioner. Their dynamic delivery and insightful expertise greatly enriched the learning experience for all participants.
The core sessions on Day 1 were led by the esteemed First Resource Speaker, Mr. Mikie D. Villanueva, and thoughtfully anchored on the overarching theme of Customer Satisfaction. His presentation offered a well-rounded and engaging exploration of three key topics:
Topic 1: Customer Service and the Fundamentals of Authentic Customer Care Mr. Villanueva opened the day with a compelling discussion that emphasized the importance of genuine, value-driven service, underscoring the elements that cultivate long-term customer loyalty.
Topic 2: Business Negotiations This segment provided strategic insights into effective negotiation techniques and interpersonal dynamics, equipping participants with practical approaches for fostering win-win business outcomes.
Topic 3: Marketing Management and Brand Appreciation Concluding the day, Mr. Villanueva delivered a thought-provoking session on the power of branding and the principles behind successful marketing, inspiring a deeper appreciation for brand identity and market engagement.
Days 2 and 3 of the program unfolded seamlessly, highlighted by a compelling and intellectually stimulating presentation delivered by the second resource speaker, Mr. Jason C. Balacuit. With expertise and clarity, Mr. Balacuit masterfully unpacked the intricacies of Business Planning—emphasizing its critical role and drawing clear distinctions between business plans, proposals, and feasibility studies.
The final two days then progressed into an intensive Workshop Series, featuring the following sessions:
Workshop 1: General Information & Rationale
Workshop 2: Marketing and Technical Aspects
Workshop 3: Management, Financial, and Social Aspects
On the culminating day, the spotlight turned to Workshop 4: Presentation of Business Plans, where participants showcased the synthesis of their insights and outputs developed throughout the sessions. Each presentation was met with constructive feedback designed to sharpen their proposals.
The event concluded with a robust Assessment of Business Plans led by Mr. Balacuit, followed by an engaging Open Forum that allowed for deeper dialogue and clarification. Finally, participants took part in the Back Home Action Plan Session, where they mapped out strategies to apply their learnings within their respective cooperatives—ensuring the sustainability and relevance of the training beyond the event itself.
The 4 batches of the training culminated in a meaningful Closing Ceremony, marked by the completion of evaluation forms and the formal Awarding of Certificates of Participation to all attendees. In recognition of their invaluable contributions, Certificates of Appreciation were also presented to the esteemed resource speakers. Participants received an inspiring takeaway message from CDA personnel, leaving them with insights to carry forward. All provisions for the delegates were funded by the CFIDP. As part of the event, winners of the workshops received prizes for their active participation. All these contributed to the success of the activity.
The training provided a solid foundation in business planning for coconut farmers’ cooperatives, transforming abstract ideas into executable plans. The participants expressed gratitude for the practical insights, dynamic facilitation, and collaborative spirit throughout the event.
Additionally, participants’ transportation reimbursements were refunded, also charged to the CFIDP fund. Part of the success was the product promotion.
