Naga City – A remarkable event was held on July 31-August 2, 2024 at Summit Hotel, Naga City attended by different coconut farmers’ cooperatives (CFCs) in the province of Camarines Sur. This event aims to strengthen the business operation and stability of the CFCs in the province through the Agri-Technology Forum and Business Project Proposal Writeshop which targets to ensure the approval of their proposed projects to different government agencies specifically the services offered under the implementation of the Coconut Farmers Industry and Development Program (CFIDP). This is one of the outcomes of the Camarines Sur CFIDP Convergence network in which the Memorandum of Agreement was signed last year, with the goal of coming up with projects, activities and programs that ensures the growth and development of the coconut industry in the province through the collaborative effort of CFIDP implementing agencies.The first day was dedicated for the Agri-Technology Forum led and facilitated by the Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center V (ATI-Bicol). Among the resource speakers were Labor and Employment Officer II Vanessa Antonette Q. Miguel-Maturan – Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) R5, Engr. Zaldy G. Bermejo, Acting Supervising CDS of Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) R5 with Atty. Myk Xavier L. Albao – Attorney III/Legal Officer and Senior CDS Erlinda N. Valera, Justine Mae O. Calangian – Program Officer of Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) Head Office, Account Officer Roberto R. Remoto – Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) Cam Sur Lending Office, Rufino C. Hernandez – Chairman of Bunubusan MPC-Batangas, Bicol Learning Sites for Agriculture Inc. (BLSA) Executive Director Jomarie Leo T. Florece, Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) CBED Coordinator and Regional Milk Feeding Coordinator Anna Reyleen J. Montes and Camsur MPC General Manager Annielen L. Panerio. Each discussed their services, programs and possible opportunities for the enhancement of technology related to coconut farming and production, business collaboration, marketing, merchandising and more.The second and third day was devoted for the Business Project Proposal Writeshop lead by the Cooperative Development Authority Region V Extension Office in collaboration with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), DBP and DOLE that was attended by 130 coconut farmers cooperatives’ (CFCs) officers. This was graced by CDA Asec. Virgilio R. Lazaga, MD – Head of the Agriculture Cluster, Atty. Emilio D. Escueta III – CDA R5 Regional Director, PCA Regional Manager Atty. Marlon Terrado together with Engr. Alvin Trespeces, SAVP Rallen O. Verdadero of DBP, Account Officer Roberto R. Remoto of LBP Cam Sur Lending Office, Labor and Employment Officer II Vanessa Antonette Q. Miguel-Maturan of DOLE R5 and CBSUA Extension Services Director Vladimir R. Foronda, PhD.The two-day activity was facilitated by the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) with their faculties who served as consultants of each cooperative attendees to come up with a viable business proposal. DBP SAVP Rallen O. Verdadero gave some tips and discussed things to consider in preparing the proposals especially those that seeks funding approval from their office. Five among the beneficiaries presented their proposals, the panelists gave their observations on the proposal and suggestions to improve and increase the chance of approval.The CDA R5’s 1^st edition of the CFIDP’s coffee table book entitled “Kudkod: Stories of Hopes and Dreams” was also launched and introduced in the event. This is a compilation of stories and testimonies of the financial assistance beneficiaries assisted and facilitated by the CDA during the 1^st year implementation of the CFIDP.This activity is part of CDA R5’s 3^rd year’s implementation of the CFIDP which aims to strengthen and capacitate the coconut farmers cooperatives in the Bicol Region to become a viable and sustainable business and social enterprise. Prior to this, five different (5) trainings have already been conducted by the CDA for CFCs for the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon and will continue to conduct other trainings until December this year.