Held at 10:00 AM and presided over by Ms. Zsaira Mae S. Monteclaro of DTI MIMAROPA, the meeting brought together representatives from various agencies including Ms. Karen P. Isla, Ms. Cristina G. Magnaye, Ms. Roseanne Nilo, and Mr. Jefhtee Panganiban, all of whom are instrumental in the successful conduct of the upcoming forum.

One of the major agenda items was the refinement of the forum’s program and logistical components. DTI suggested shifting the focus from Food Safety to a more pressing topic—compliance and registration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This was well received, and the team agreed that DTI would invite a speaker from FDA MIMAROPA to enrich the discussions.

As for the product showcase, it was collectively decided to forego the original plan of holding a trade fair in Mahalta due to logistical constraints. Instead, a localized product showcase will be arranged to highlight regional coconut-based products in a more accessible venue. DTI committed to providing display racks and will procure selected products from the participants.

Logistical coordination also took center stage. The team discussed the procurement and management of food supplies, with ATI handling provisions for Days 0 to 2 and DTI covering Days 3 and 4. For the Lakbay Aral, two sites were shortlisted: a demo farm in Victoria and Merl’s Processing Site in Naujan. ATI and DTI will collaborate closely with OPAG and Merl’s for coordination and feasibility assessments.

Each agency was assigned specific responsibilities for the event proper. These include:

• CDA will host the event and lead the social programs and games.
• ATI will provide ushers/usherettes, prepare event kits, and manage certificates and IDs.
• DTI will oversee technical support, prizes, tokens, and transport logistics.

All parties agreed on the need for a synchronized effort, especially in terms of registration, distribution of kits, coordination with participants, and the execution of side events. The final theme of the event will be confirmed by June 15, and the event program is set to be finalized by June 30.

As the meeting adjourned at 3:00 PM, it was evident that the shared commitment of the three agencies laid a strong foundation for a meaningful and impactful event. The team is set to reconvene via Zoom on June 30, 2025, to finalize updates and ensure seamless implementation of the forum.

Following the successful initial coordination held on May 14, 2025, key partner agencies have taken another step forward in the preparation for the 2nd Coco Colloquium and Techno Forum and the broader implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) 2025.

On a separate coordination session, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) MIMAROPA convened to revisit the outcomes of the earlier meeting and to strategically map out its contributions to the implementation phase of CFIDP 2025. The CDA meeting highlighted not just the logistical and organizational roles of the agency in the upcoming forum, but also its deeper involvement in capacity-building and cooperative strengthening aligned with the CFIDP framework.

Key takeaways from the CDA discussion include:

• Validation of Commitments: CDA reaffirmed its lead roles in hosting the event, facilitating social activities, and delivering the Client Satisfactory Form (CSF) to participants across scheduled days.
• Program Enrichment: CDA provided additional inputs on how to integrate cooperative development themes into the forum’s learning sessions, particularly emphasizing the need to align with CFIDP’s goals of enterprise development and sustainability.
• CFIDP Implementation Strategy: Beyond the colloquium, the CDA discussed concrete action plans for CFIDP 2025, including mobilizing accredited cooperatives as delivery channels for services and livelihood programs, enhancing technical assistance, and strengthening monitoring systems to ensure accountability and measurable impact.

The CDA also raised the importance of maintaining synergy with other implementing agencies such as DTI and ATI to ensure that CFIDP 2025 is delivered in a holistic, inclusive, and community-focused manner. The results of this internal planning will be further aligned with the upcoming joint meeting on June 30, 2025, where final program structures and implementation plans will be finalized.

As MIMAROPA continues to position itself as a stronghold for coconut-based innovation and cooperative empowerment, these meetings underscore the region’s united vision of building resilient communities through effective inter-agency collaboration under CFIDP 2025.