Philippines

Country information

Genebank

Zamboanga Research Center
PO Box 356
San Ramon, 7000 Zamboanga City
Philippines
Phone: (+63) 62 991 5087
Fax: (+63) 62 992 1031
Email: wesmarrdec@wmsu.edu.ph


 

Contact

Mr Carlos B. Carpio
Deputy Administrator
Agriculture Research & Development Branch
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)
Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines
Phone: (+63) 2 9284501-10
Fax: (+63) 2 9267631
Email: cbcarpio@yahoo.com

Antique Tall Mapatag (ANTT01)
(Image: J. Oliver)

The Philippines are a country in Southeast Asia comprising 7107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is the world’s 12th most populous country, with a population of about 90 million people. There are more than 11 million
overseas Filipinos worldwide, about 11% of the  opulation. The Philippine’s coconut area is estimated at 4.09 million ha, with most areas comprised of small landholdings with an average farm size of 3.6 ha.

Like other countries, Tall varieties dominate the areas planted to coconut (Carpio et al. 2005). The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) genebank in Zamboanga is considered to be one of the most important germplasm repositories of local and foreign coconut ecotypes in the world.

Currently, the Philippines have 224 coconut accessions listed in the CGRD of COGENT. The Research, Development and Extension Branch of the Philippine Coconut Authority (RDEB-PCA) reported that there are 16 coconut varieties registered with the Philippine National Seed Industry Council (NSIC), while there are 15 registered coconut hybrids. Eleven accessions are of foreign origin, such as the West African Tall (WAT), Rennel Island Tall (RIT), Gazelle Peninsula Tall (GPT), Markham Valley Tall (MVT), Vanuatu Tall (VTT), Karkar Tall (KKT), Malayan Red Dwarf (MRD), Malayan Yellow Dwarf (MYD), Equatorial Guinea Green Dwarf (EGD), Sri Lanka Green Dwarf (SGD) and Aromatic Green Dwarf (AROD). A recent addition to the PCA genebank is a rare coconut called ‘Tutupaen’ or ‘Tupa’, whose shell is so thick that it’s almost as thick as its meat. Nuts from the ‘Tutupaen’ are not consumed due to superstitious belief that once eaten, the shell will become brittle. Debris from the ‘Tupa’ tree is also buried for the same reason (Calub 2002). Cadang-cadang is a fatal disease of coconut caused by a viroid and found mainly in the Bicol Peninsula, Masbate, Catanduanes, Samar and in isolated areas in Quezon. Economic losses arise from the cessation of nut production on diseased palms. The presence of the disease has also caused problems in international trade of coconut products from the Philippines.

More info: pdf.png Conserved coconut germplasm from the Philippines (2.4MB); Part 2 (1.9MB); Part 3 (1.9MB); Part 4 (2.0MB); Part 5 (3.0MB); Part 6 (2.1MB); Part 7 (1.7MB)

Collaborative Activities between BIOVERSITY/COGENT and the Philippines

1. Capacity Building

a) Technical assistance/expert advice
From 1998 to 2008, nine experts visited the Philippines on seven technical assistance missions, including identifying marketable alternative coconut products and the varieties suitable for them; evaluating COGENT’s collecting and conservation strategies; assisting in the installation of equipment for feasibility studies; developing a cost and return analysis protocol for ongoing and future intercropping experiments and training local staff on using the protocol; conducting studies to enhance income and reduce poverty in coconut growing communities in the country; and training project participants in the production of fiber-based products and coconut candy making.

b) Training and human resources development
Thirteen training courses were conducted in the Philippines from 1997 to 2008, mostly hosted by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and SEARCA, with 366 researchers participating representing more than 20 countries.

On the other hand, 260 local research staff, extension workers, community members from various partner agencies and institutions in the country underwent staff development training on coconut collecting and conservation, embryo culture techniques, technical/ proposal writing and seminar presentation, coconut data analysis, using the microsatellite kit and dedicated statistical software, poverty reduction in coconut growing communities, training course on machineries and equipment for producing high-value products from coconut fiber , coconut-based food products (Bokayo, Buko Pie, Sugar, Candies); markets and market development; and Coconut embryo culture to improve collecting and safe movement of germplasm.

c) COGENT meetings/workshops
From 1994 to 2008, eight meetings have been held in the Philippines, including the 3rd COGENT Steering Committee Meeting.


2. Research Projects

A total of 39 projects have either been completed or are ongoing in the country. These projects are implemented by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB), Bicol Agricultural and Rural Development Center, Inc. (BARCDI) and the Visayas State College of Agriculture (VISCA).


3. Financial Support and Funding

Donor funding for completed and existing projects in the Philippines amounts to US$ 290,897 provided by ADB, APCC, DFID, IFAD, GCDT and BAR while counterpart financing for these projects by the national government amounts to US$ 266,227.


4. Summary of Activities and Accomplishments, Philippines


 1. Capacity building
 a) Technical assistance provided by experts to the Philippines

 Expert
Dates
Purpose

 TKG Ranasinghe
Oct – Nov 1998
To identify marketable alternative products of the coconut (apart from copra and coconut oil) and to identify suitable varieties suitable for processing into identified marketable products

 CIRAD (L.
Baudouin, R.Bourdeix, J. Ollivier)
Feb – Apr 1999
To evaluate COGENT’s collecting strategies, identify gaps in germplasm collecting and recommend ways to improve conservation effort.

 Vo Van Long
May – June 2000
Assist in the installation of equipment for feasibility studies

 Juan T Carlos
Nov 2000
To develop a cost and return analysis protocol for ongoing and future intercropping experiments and to train researchers on the use of the validated protocols

 Carlos Carpio
20 Sep – 31 Dec 2000
Identifying researchable constraints and opportunities to enhance income and reduce poverty in coconut growing communities in the Philippines

 Engr Carlos dela Cruz
15 March 2003 – 14 June 2003
To identify and assist fabrication and installation of the machineries and equipment for the production of high-value coconut products and train project participants in the production of fiber-based products

 Nguyen Thi Le Thuy
August 2003
To conduct training on Coconut Candy Making

 b) Training courses conducted in the Philippines

 Schedule
Course/Training Activities
Venue/Host
No. Trainees/
Countries
Funding
Agency

 1-12 Sept. 1997
Collecting and Conservation Course
Philippine Coconut Authority, Philippines
11/7
CFC

 27-31 Oct. 1997
Embryo culture workshop/training
Philippine Coconut Authority, Philippines
14/8
CFC/ADB

 16-20 Mar 1998
Farmer participatory Research on Coconut Diversity (Asia)
Philippine Coconut Authority, Philippines
24/7
IFAD

 17-27 March 1999
Embryo culture training (Individual)
Philippine Coconut Authority, Philippine
2/2
ADB

 30 August –3 September 1999
Technical Writing/Presentation Course
SEARCA/Philippine Coconut Authority, Philippines
18/13
ADB

 6-10 September 1999
Data Analysis Course
SEARCA/Philippine Coconut Authority, Philippines
17/14
ADB

 9-15 Oct 2000
Hands-on Embryo Culture Training Course
Philippine Coconut Authority, Philippines
7/5
ADB/
DFID/
IFAD

 2-7 April 2001
STANTECH Training Course
Zamboanga Research Center, Philippine Coconut Authority, Philippines
6/6
ADB

 5-14 December 2002
Training Course on Poverty Reduction in Coconut Growing Communities
PCA, Bago Oshiro
Davao City, Philippines
33/3
ADB/DFID

 28-30 April 2003
Training Course on Machineries and Equipment for producing high-value products from coconut fibre
Sarangani project site, Philippines
116/1
ADB

 18 – 20 August 2003
Training Course on Producing Coconut-based Food Products (Bokaya, Buko Pie, Sugar, Candies)
Davao, Philippines
75/8
ADB

 19 Aug 2003
Training Course on Producing Coconut Fiber-based Products
Davao, Philippines
23/1
ADB

 11- 15 December 2008
Training and research workshop: Coconut embryo culture to improve collecting and safe movement of germplasm
Zamboanga, Philippines
20/8
GCDT

 c) Local researchers trained

 Name
Dates, Country
Training Course

 Gerardo Santos
19 – 28 Jun 1995, Indonesia
STANTECH Trainers' Course

 Ramon Rivera
-do-
-do-

 Jesus Delos Santos
1 – 12 Sep 1997, Philippines
Coconut Collecting and Conservation Course

 Ernesto Emmanuel
-do-
-do-

 Reynaldo Qullloy
-do-
-do-

 Olivia Damasco
27 –3 1 Oct 1997, Philippines
Embryo Culture Workshop/Training

 Ambrosio Raul Alfiler
-do-
-do-

 Victor De Paz
-do-
-do-

 Vermilyn Ortiz
-do-
-do-

 Aurora Del Rosario
-do-
-do-

 Erlinda Rillo
-do-
-do-

 Myrna Santiago
-do-
-do-

 Lidelia M Astete
16 – 20 Mar 1998, Philippines
Farmer Participatory Research on Coconut Diversity (Asia)

 Ramon L Rivera
-do-
-do-

 Gerardo Santos
-do-
-do-

 Margarita G Edang
-do-
-do-

 Tessie C Nenez
-do-
-do-

 Edwin Balearino
-do-
-do-

 Rex B Buac
-do-
-do-

 Peter E Obtinario
-do-
-do-

 Belen P Lacorte
-do-
-do-

 Cherry Leah P. Bagalanon
-do-
-do-

 Liberty H Canja
-do-
-do-

 Nemesia San Juan Bachchiller
-do-
-do-
 
 Lorenzo I Comidoy, Jr
-do-
-do-

 Edgar T Bahala
-do-
-do-

 Jose S Cruz
-do-
-do-

 Romero C Blancaver
-do-
-do-

 Monette Berdulaga
30 Aug – 3 Sep 1999, Philippines
Technical Writing/Seminar Presentation and Proposal Writing Course

 Alexandria Aileen M. Bondad
-do-
-do-

 Mamerto H. Catiempo, Jr
6 – 10 Sep 1999, Philippines
Coconut Data Analysis Training Course

 Teresa I. Namia
-do-
-do-

 Joy Jamago
June 1998 – May 2000
MSc PGR scholarship

 Ernesto Emmanuel
June 1999 – Oct 2001
MSc PGR scholarship

 Teresa I. Namia
October 1999 – October 2001
MSc PGR scholarship

 Tessie Nunez
9 – 14 Oct 2000, Philippines
Hands-On Embryo Culture Training Course

 Rocelie A Reglos
-do-
-do-

 Gerardo Santos
15 – 24 April 2002, France
Workshop on Coconut Genetic Resources Management Using Microsatellite Kit and Dedicated Statistical Software

 Ramon Rivera
-do-
-do-

 Carlos B. Carpio
5-14 December 2002
Training Course on Poverty Reduction in Coconut Growing Communities

 Rhoda Althea Prudente
-do-
-do-

 Polando Paril
-do-
-do-

 Henry Alvarez
-do-
-do-

 Joy Aster Gamolo
-do-
-do-

 Romulo Arancon, Jr.
-do-
-do-

 Araceli Loyola
-do-
-do-

 Millicent Secretaria
-do-
-do-

 Nemesia SJ. Bachiller
-do-
-do-

 Susan D. Marante
-do-
-do-

 Edgar T. Bahala
-do-
-do-

 Gerardo Santos
-do-
-do-

 Godwina Infiesto
-do-
-do-

 Leopoldo Hernandez
-do-
-do-

 Elvira BC. Silva
-do-
-do-

 Elisa O. Gabi
-do-
-do-

 Evelyn T. Caro
-do-
-do-

 Marina B Wahid
-do-
-do-

 Datumanong U. Pendi
-do-
-do-

 Rogaciano Margate
-do-
-do-

 Benjamin Dela Cruz
-do-
-do-

 Cynthia Gallego
-do-
-do-

 Jose Maravilla
-do-
-do-

 Marianita Eroy
-do-
-do-

 Vivencio Gallego
-do-
-do-

 Emmanuel Aterrado
-do-
-do-

 Loretta J. Nierras
-do-
-do-

 Jose S. Cruz
-do-
-do-

 Luis G. Cruz
-do-
-do-

 Lornito Orillaneda
-do-
-do-

 Erlene Manohar
2-3 July 2007
Training course on Markets and Market Development for the project on Overcoming Poverty in Coconut Growing Communities

 Evelyn T Caro
2-3 July 2007
Training course on Markets and Market Development for the project on Overcoming Poverty in Coconut Growing Communities

 Ramon Rivera
11- 15 December 2008
Training and research workshop: Coconut embryo culture to improve collecting and safe movement of germplasm

 Ernesto E. Emmanuel
-do-
-do-

 d) BIOVERSITY-COGENT meetings/workshops held in the Philippines

 Date
Activity
Location

 1 - 2 September 1994
Integration meeting for project components of the Coconut Genetic Resources Network for Asia and the Pacific Region (CGRNAP)
Los Banos, Philippines

 5 - 7 September 1994
Third COGENT Steering Committee Meeting
Davao, Philippines

 10 - 12 September 1994
CGRNAP Project Inception Meeting
Los Banos, Philippines

 10-15 July 2000
ADB & IFAD Funded Projects Joint Annual Meeting for Asia
Manila, Philippines

 21 –23 Aug 2003
2nd Annual ADB funded Project Meeting
Davao, Philippines

 10 – 13 December 2007
International Coconut Genebank Workshop
Los Banos, Philippines

 19 – 27 May 2008
IFAD Data Analysis Workshop and Project Completion Meeting
Los Banos, Philippines

 11- 15 December 2008
Training and research workshop: Coconut embryo culture to improve collecting and safe movement of germplasm
Zamboanga, Philippines

  2. BIOVERSITY-COGENT projects in the Philippines

  Project Title
Host
Institute
Budget/
Funding
Agency
(US$)
Budget/
National
Funding (US$)

  a) Collection, evaluation and conservation of coconut genetic resources in the Philippines using a systematic sampling strategy
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)
13,800/ADB
13,000

  b) Application of standard protocols on coconut genomic DNA isolation, embryo culture and microsatellite (SSR) molecular markers to support genetic diversity studies and germplasm conservation programs in the Philippines
-do-
13,000/ADB
47,364

  c) Supply of Computer, Printer, Softwares and Peripherals
-do-
2,000/ADB
-

  d) Testing of coconut-based farming system (CBFS) to promote conservation in 3 strategic sites
-do-
36,000/IFAD
37,613

  e) Refinement of coconut embryo culture technology
-do-
5,000/DFID
19,800

  f) Assessment of performance of coconut hybrids and farmers’ varietal preferences
-do-
2,000/APCC
1,000

  g) Study on the deployment of coconut diversity
-do-
1,000/IFAD
500

  h) Testing the upgraded embryo culture technology to reduce cost of producing embryo-derived Makapuno coconut and deployment of resulting seedlings to resource-poor coconut farmers
-do-
5,000/IFAD
5,000

  i) Feasibility study on the village scale production and marketing of high value products (coconut flour and white oil) from fresh coconut meat and identification of suitable varieties for these uses
-do-
5,000/IFAD
2,500

  j) Catalogue of Conserved Coconut Germplasm
-do-
1,500/ADB
750

  k) Establishing a framework and selecting project sites for a nationwide deployment of coconut-based poverty reduction interventions in coconut growing communities using COGENT’s 3-pronged strategy in the Philippines
-do-
4,000/DFID
2,000

  l) Coconut embryo culture research to develop effective technology for the production of coconut seedlings from the high-value soft-endosperm coconut variety “Lono”
-do-
1,500/DFID
750

  m) Mass production of dwarf x Makapuno F1 hybrids and establishment of Regional Makapuno seed farms
-do-
5,000/DFID
33,000

  n) Improvement of coconut embryo culture technology to promote germplasm collection, conservation and exchange
Dept of Horticulture
5,000/DFID
18,800

  o) Utilization of embryo culture technology for germplasm conservations: development of medium term conservation for coconut zygotic embryos
Institute of Plant Breeding
5,000/DFID
2,500

  p) Feasibility studies on the establishment of integrated coconut husk processing and prototype makapuno production and processing projects in the province of Albay and identification of coconut varieties suitable for the identified high-value products
Bicol Agricultural and Rural Development Center, Inc
(BARCDI)
8,600/IFAD
4,300

  q) Assessment of in-vitro growth performance of embryos of 3 different coconut types using the COGENT upgraded coconut embryo culture protocol
Visayas State College of Agriculture (VISCA)
1,500/DFID
750

  r) Developing Sustainable Coconut-Based Income Generating Technologies in Poor Rural Communities in the Philippines (Year 1)
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)
17,530/ADB
20,000

  s) Farmer Participatory Characterization of Coconut Varieties in 3 Poverty Reduction Project Sites in the Philippines
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)
1,000/DFID
500

  t) Developing Sustainable Coconut-Based Income Generating Technologies in Poor Rural Communities in the Philippines (Year 2)
Ditto
19,960/ADB
12,500

  u) Intercropping, livestock raising trials, farmers variety characterization and coconut nursery establishment in Maitum, Saranggani
Ditto
1,350/ADB
6,000

  v) Molecular marker-based characterization of conserved coconut germplasm in national genebank and selected farmers’ varieties in the BIOVERSITY/COGENT poverty reduction project sites in the Philippines
Ditto
2,000/DFID
1,000

  w) Developing Sustainable Coconut-Based Income Generating Technologies in Poor Rural Communities in the Philippines (Year 3)
Ditto
11,325/ADB
5,000

  x) Molecular marker-based characterization of conserved coconut germplasm in national genebank in the BIOVERSITY/COGENT poverty reduction project sites in the Philippines
Ditto
5,000/DFID
2,500

  y) Case study and documentation of achievements and resource enhancement of Malapad Integrated Livelihood Cooperative (MILCO): “Best coconut community within country (Philippines)”
Malapad Integrated Livelihood Cooperative (MILCO)
1,000/ADB
-

  z) Documentation of best coconut community achievements and success stories: Malapad Integrated Livelihood Cooperative (MILCO)
Mr Rolando Paril Community Coordinator
500/ADB
-

  aa) Case study and documentation of best global group in nursery management
Linabu Coconut Planters Association (LCPA)
500/ADB
-

  bb) Documentation of success story: Production of high value coconut-based products (Philippines)
Mrs Luisa Molo
250/ADB
-

  cc) Documentation of success story: Intercropping (Philippines)
Mr Diomedes Potestades
250/ADB
-

  dd) Documentation of success story: Livestock production (Philippines)
Mr Soterania Chavez
250/ADB
-

  ee) Overcoming Poverty in Coconut-Growing Communities: Coconut Genetic Resources for Sustainable Livelihoods in the Philippines (2005)
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)
20,800/IFAD
6,600

  ff) Coconut-Based Product Diversification to Reduce Poverty in Coconut-growing Communities
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)
22,559/BAR
1,500

  gg) Overcoming Poverty in Coconut-Growing Communities: Coconut Genetic Resources for Sustainable Livelihoods in the Philippines (2006)
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)
24,150/IFAD
4,100

  hh) Enhancing Food Security, Nutrition and Microcredit Systems in Coconut-Growing Communities in the Philippines
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)
6,000/DFID
-

  ii) Enhancement of livelihoods through coconut byproduct-livestock integration in San Isidro, Philippines communities (2007)
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)
5000/IFAD
2,500

  jj) Overcoming Poverty in Coconut-Growing Communities: Coconut Genetic Resources for Sustainable Livelihoods in the Philippines (2007)
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)
10550/IFAD
8,900

  kk) Coconut-Based Product Diversification to Reduce Poverty in Coconut-growing Communities (2007)
Ditto
10,852/BAR
1,500

  ll) Coconut-Based Product Diversification to Reduce Poverty in Coconut-growing Communities (2008)
Ditto
10,171/BAR
1,500

  mm) Collecting embryos of one Tall coconut variety for use in the training workshop and for eventual transfer to the field as a a new accession
Ditto
5000/GCDT
2,500


  TOTAL


290,897

266,227

 

As of November 2009

Prepared by:
Yeow Giap Seng, COGENT Programme Assistant