THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is positioning Cebu as a hub for premium coconut exports, as it pushes to transform the country’s coconut sector from a raw commodity supplier into a producer of high-value, globally competitive products.
Speaking at the opening of the Cebu Coconut Market Expo 2025 last Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, DTI officials said the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) aims to modernize the industry by expanding market access for farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), promoting value-adding, and attracting investments in processing facilities.
“For too long, the coconut sector has been defined by raw exports and untapped potential. Today, we are rewriting that story — transforming coconut into a powerful driver of innovation, high-value products, and global competitiveness,” said DTI-Regional Operations Group assistant secretary Dominic Tolentino Jr.
Cebu, he said, is well-placed to lead this transformation, given its export infrastructure, access to international markets and a growing base of MSMEs engaged in coco-based innovations — from virgin coconut oil and health food products to eco-friendly coir mats and handicrafts.
DTI’s role
Under CFIDP, DTI is tasked to link farmer cooperatives and enterprises with buyers through trade fairs, business-matching, and digital platforms, while providing technical assistance for standards compliance, labeling, and certification to make coco products export-ready.
DTI Cebu is committed to help exhibitors secure follow-up orders, improve packaging, and promote coco products through One Town One Product Philippines, national trade fairs, and export missions.
It is also committed to providing technical assistance for the Food and Drug Authority, labeling, and certification, including exploring funding support for compliance. The agency also pledged to support digitalization so coco MSMEs can sell online, accept digital payments, and reach more customers.
Beyond market promotion, the CFIDP involves close coordination with other government agencies to complete the coconut value chain. These include production support from the Philippine Coconut Authority, processing facilities from PhilMech, financing from Land Bank and Development Bank of the Philippines, crop insurance from Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., and research and technology development from the Department of Science and Technology.
DTI Cebu called on local government units to integrate coco MSMEs into tourism circuits, pasalubong centers, and local procurement and for buyers to commit to sourcing from Cebu’s coconut enterprises to create steady demand.
The agency also encouraged farmers and MSMEs to continue innovating, diversifying, and adding value.
“You are at the center of this entire plan, and all of us here are working to help you succeed,” said Marivic Aguilar, DTI-Cebu Officer-in-Charge.
Branding
Moreover, Tolentino underscored the importance of branding, noting that Philippine coconut products should carry the mark “Made in the Philippines” as a seal of quality and innovation.
“This is the new face of Philippine coconut — a sector that no longer waits for opportunity, but creates it. Cebu stands at the forefront of this transformation,” he said.
The Cebu Coconut Market Expo, held in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority-Central Visayas, gathered farmers, cooperatives, MSMEs, buyers, and investors to build partnerships and explore opportunities in one of the country’s most enduring yet underutilized industries. / KOC