The Philippine Coconut Authority’s (PCA) Coconut Somatic Embryogenesis Technology (CSet) laboratories in the Bicol region have been upgraded and rehabilitated under a five-year project implemented by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).

DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the DOST-PCAARRD-funded program has generated significant results in the enhancement of the PCA-CSet protocol and mass propagation of plumule-derived coconut planting materials in seven partner laboratories that are trained on coconut tissue culture techniques.

The program, “Reinvigorating of the Philippine Coconut Industry through the Coconut Somatic Embryogenesis Technology (CSet)” was implemented from October 2014 to September 2019.

De la Peña said the seven laboratories were upgraded and were given funding support to purchase the required basic laboratory equipment for coconut tissue culture.

“Two of the seven laboratories that are being managed by the Philippine Coconut Authority – Albay Research Center (PCA-ARC) and Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF) in Guinobatan, Albay, were granted additional funding for the rehabilitation of their existing laboratories, and the construction of screen house, and nurseries for the grow-outs,” he said

“A more functional and technically-equipped laboratory set-up was made available to cater to the needs of the researchers,” he added.

He laments that PCA-ARC facilities were severely damaged by three consecutive typhoons in 2020 which heavily affected the province of Albay.

“To assist PCA-ARC, DOST-PCAARRD recently approved the funding support to meet the safety and comfort needs of the personnel and to provide a more organized and efficient space utilization in the laboratory for the smooth implementation of the funded projects,” the DOST chief said.