BATAC CITY, Ilocos Norte — The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) have signed a new agreement to operationalize a biotechnology facility that will produce embryo-cultured makapuno (ECM) seedlings, a move aimed at making quality planting materials more available to coconut farmers in Northern Luzon.
The memorandum of agreement (MOA) executed on Aug. 13, 2026 was signed by MMSU President Virgilio Julius Manzano Jr. and PCA Administrator Dexter Buted. Witnesses included MMSU Vice Presidents Nathaniel Alibuyog for Research, Development and Innovation; Aris Reynold Cajigal for Academic Affairs; Mee Jay Domingo for Planning and Strategic Foresight; and Dionisio Bucao, director of research and project leader.
Officials from PCA were also present. Pangasinan State University signed a similar agreement with PCA during the event.
Under the agreement, PCA will provide P5 million to MMSU for laboratory equipment and supplies, and for minor upgrades needed to fully run the Embryo Culture Facility (ECF).
PCA will also extend technical assistance on embryo culture technology, train MMSU personnel, and supply 50 high-quality makapuno seedlings to establish a Makapuno Field Demonstration Farm.
For its part, MMSU will operate and manage the ECF, set up at least a half-hectare makapuno demonstration farm, and develop screen house and nursery areas for producing and maintaining embryo-cultured seedlings.
The university will also identify local makapuno farms to serve as sources of nuts for embryo culture, and will keep records on production, survival, harvest, and distribution to track the program’s performance.
Manzano thanked PCA for its support and said the university will push ahead with coconut biotechnology work to increase the supply of true-to-type makapuno planting materials.
“We will continue to work with PCA in promoting coconut biotechnology, increasing the availability of quality makapuno planting materials, improving the livelihood of coconut farmers, and contributing to the development of the coconut industry,” Manzano said.
He added that MMSU will implement the program fully and sustain the ECF and demonstration farms as venues for research, training, technology development, and service to farming communities across Northern Luzon.
As project leader, Bucao said the goal is to make the facility a working platform for makapuno biotechnology that can eventually deliver quality seedlings to more coconut growers.
He noted that increasing access to genetically uniform planting materials can help farmers raise productivity and explore higher-value coconut enterprises.
The initiative focuses on ECM, a method that allows the propagation of makapuno palms with consistent traits.
Makapuno, known for its soft and jelly-like meat, commands higher prices in both domestic and export markets. Limited supply of planting materials has been a long-standing constraint for growers who want to expand production.
The partnership builds on earlier collaboration between PCA and MMSU. On Jan. 20, 2026, the two institutions held the blessing and dedication of the newly completed ECF along the Batac–Paoay Road.
The P20-million facility was established to strengthen MMSU’s capacity in coconut research, biotechnology, and seedling production.
Groundbreaking was led by Buted, Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, Manzano, and representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways.
With the new MOA, officials said the ECF will shift from being solely a research facility to also serving as a production and technology hub.
They said the aim is to shorten the distance between laboratory-developed planting materials and farmers’ fields, and to support the expansion of the makapuno industry in the region.
PCA also said the agreement is part of broader efforts to strengthen coconut research and development, and to provide farmers with improved varieties and technologies.
MMSU and PCA expect the demonstration farm and nursery operations to start once equipment procurement is completed.
Records to be maintained by the university will be used to monitor seedling survival and distribution, and to guide future scaling of embryo culture activities in Northern Luzon.
