REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ASSISTANT

FOR FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL MODERNIZATION

PHILIPPINE COCONUT AUTHORITY

ZAMBOANGA RESEARCH CENTER
San Ramon, Zamboanga City 7000 Tel. /Fax No. (062) 982-0302
P.O. Box 356
TIN: 000724616
E-mail: pca_zrc@yahoo.com

NON-FOOD PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

Tel. No. (062) 926-7356

E-mail: nfpdd_zrc@yahoo.com

MONTHLY ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
For the month of OCTOBER 2015

1) AR/TU 05/20.

Piloting and Commercialization of Coconut Husk Decorticating

Machine, Baling Machine and Twining Machine. L.J. Peamora, N.J.
Melencion , R. L. Lumata, C. M. Tagactac, and L. G. Baya. (20052016)

The fabrication of coconut husk and coir processing equipment for KEDP Projects of
PCA Regional Offices was continued. During this month, 1 unit of decorticating machine was
delivered to PCA Region IVA last October 8, 2015. This unit was a replacement to the unit
given to Director Rafael P. Sarucam for Brgy. Daguit, Labo, Camarines Norte.
































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Photo 1. Various coconut husk and coir processing equipment under fabrication at the Division.


2) AR/TU 06/25. Pilot Scale Production and Marketing of Handicrafts, Novelty Items
and Wares from Coconut Wood, Fruit Residues, Husks and other
Parts of Coconut. L.J. Peamora, N.J. Melencion, R.L. Lumata, C.M.
Tagactac and L.G. Baya. (20062015)

The production of novelty items and handicrafts is being continued at the Division. For
this month, 15 pieces of novelty items were displayed at the Naval Market Day, an event
celebrated by the Naval Forces Western Mindanao as part of their Anniversary Celebration.
1 piece of novelty item, a lampshade made from cocowood, was given as token for Secretary
Edel Guiza during the RMs/CMs meeting last October 28, 2015.

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AR/TU 10/26.
Production, Utilization and Marketing of CocowoodAcacia Wood
Composite Furniture products (Revenue generating project).L.J. Peamora, N.J. Melencion,
R.L. Lumata, C.M. Tagactac and L.G. Baya.(20102020)
The production of various handicrafts and novelty items was continued this month. The
fabricated folded table was already claimed by the client, Mr. Frederick Diongson. The
hinges for this unit was provided by the client (pictured below).














The 4seater dining set for DA Roel Rosales and executive chair for DA Glenn Santos are
now ready for delivery.

Figure 2. Different furniture made in the Division.

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3)

AR/TU 11/01.

Utilization of coconutbased biomass for bioethanol production. N.J.

Melencion, R.L. Lumata, and L.J. Peamora. (20112016)

1.1

First Generation Ethanol Production from Coconut Sap and Saps of Other Palms.
N.J. Melencion, R.L. Lumata, and L.J. Peamora. (20112012)

The project is currently exploring the adoption of bahalina technology to optimize
the conversion of sugar from coconut sap into ethanol. A few samples were
prepared for bahalina production. It is theorized that the slow fermentation of
this process may help increase ethanol recovery. However, it may take some time
to perfect the process as there are no documentary procedure of producing
bahalina.

4) AR/TU 15/01.

Comprehensive R&D in the Production of Communitybased

Competitive Coconutbased Products. L.J. Peamora, C.M. Tagactac,
R.L. Lumata, N.J. Melencion, L.G. Baya, and E.C. Manohar. (20152018)

1. Commercialization of Cococoir Processing Technologies and Machineries in
CALABARZON

A. Fabrication, Demonstration, Monitoring, and Evaluation of the Field
Performance of Machines. L.J. Peamora, N.J.Melencion, C.M. Tagactac, R.L. Lumata,
L.G. Baya, and E.C. Manohar.(20152018)

On October 27, 2015, OICDM Luisito J. Peamora, SRS II Clifford M. Tagactac
and Mr. Pilardo R. Manlangit went to Pagbilao, Quezon in the Office of the Provincial
Agriculturist as their resource persons for the Coconut Business Opportunity
Seminar. It was attended by different LGU representatives coming from different
municipalities of Quezon, private sectors and coconut farmers in the province. The
seminar discussed about the coconut coir industry, products and its byproducts.
Handson coir processing demonstration on the field was conducted which have
caught the interest of the farmerparticipants. After that, the group headed by the
Provincial Agriculturist, Mr. Roberto Gajo, conducted some workshop from the
learning they got.






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On October 28, 2015, Messrs. Tagactac and Manlangit went to Barangay Burgos,
Majayjay, Laguna to check and inspect the status of installation of lowemission
charcoal kiln. It was found out that the construction was delayed due to Typhoon
Lando. The construction will resume as soon as the weather is stable.














B. (1). CoirCocoshellAcrylic Product Development. N.J. Melencion, R.L. Lumata,
C.M. Tagactac, and L.J. Peamora. (20152018)

No activities were undertaken during this period while the Division is still
waiting for the completion of the procurement process for acrylic resins.

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(2). Application of Biotechnology for the Production of Biosynthetic Products.
R.L. Lumata, N.J. Melencion, C.M. Tagactac, and L.J. Peamora. (20152018)

Development of novel coconutbased medium and substrates for mushroom
cultivation and green muscardine fungus production
For the month, Sr. SRS Richard L. Lumata has continued the medium
optimization of culture medium for mushroom (Figure 1), Metharhizium
anosipliae or GMF (Figure 2), and coconutbased medium as substitute to the
Shigeru yamanaka medium (Figure 3). Mycelial growth of mushroom were
examined particularly using Lentinus edodos (Shiitake) in RLL 01 medium and
the GMF isolates cultures were also evaluated using RLL 02 medium. Meanwhile,
comparable responses were observed in the newly developed medium (RLL 03)
for Acetobacter xylinum were distinct formation of bacterial cellulose appeared
both in Shigeru yamanaka and the cocobased medium (RLL 03). Furthermore,
Trichoderma harzianum isolate was also recently procured from the Bureau of
Soils Region IX where this will also be masscultured for application on
degradation of coco biomass. Innoculum preparation for GMF and Vesicular
arbuscular mycorrhizae is also currently being facilitated.















Photo 3. Mycelial growth of Mushroom in RLL 01
Photo 4. GMF isolate culture in RLL 02 medium.

medium













Photo 5. Acetobacter xylinum cultures in RLL 03 medium (left side)

and Shigeru yamanaka medium (Right side)

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2. Coconut Shell Carbonization, Wood Vinegar and Solid Biofuels (Village

Processing of Coconut Shell Carbonization). L.G. Baya, L.J. Peamora, C.M. Tagactac,
and R.L. Lumata, and N.J. Melencion. (20152018)

The Division continued the fabrication of charcoal processing equipment for KEDP
of PCA Regional Offices. Last October 28, 2015, 1 unit of smoke trap was delivered to
Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte. Three (3) units of charcoal kiln are being constructed
now at Venus, Sergio Osmea, Zamboanga del Norte (KEDP site). The construction of
charcoal kilns was conducted by three (3) NFPDD personnel namely, Messrs. Richard
Villanueva, Robert Sevillano, and Rhonel Labacanacruz.
The construction of twin charcoal kiln with waste heat utilization unit (WHU) was
likewise continued. The main bodies of the twin charcoal kiln are almost complete. It
will be painted with heatresistant paints. The ladders were already fabricated and
installed. The main ductwork made of large pipes was also installed. The blower which
will draw the kiln gas into the furnace was fabricated. It is powered by an electric motor.
The furnace where the kiln gas will be ignited is being fabricated. It will also house a
heat exchanger.



































Photo 6. The fabricated components of the twin charcoal with waste heat utilization unit. From top left
clockwise: kiln ladder, kiln main body, kiln main body (side view), furnace/heat exchanger frame, main

ductwork/pipeline, fabricated blower/fan,

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3. Coir Processing and Coir Products Development. C.M. Tagactac, L.G. Baya, R.L.
Lumata, and L.J. Peamora.(20152018)

For the month, SRS II Clifford M. Tagactac continued on the study and development
of coir processing and coir products. There are modifications of enhanced biologs in
terms of diameter and length. For biopots, we suggested to change the name to
ecobags for it fits its purpose for organic farming. The dimension of biopocket has
been modified into smaller frame. These modifications have been shown to the
participants in the seminar in Pagbilao, Quezon.

4. Conferences/Seminars Attended/Other Activities

A. Last October 12, 2015, Mr. Leo Jess G. Baya, SRS I and member of BAC Technical
Working Group, along with other BAC members, attended the PhiLGEPS Buyers
Training at Mineski Infinity, Elipe Bldg., R. N. Pelaez Bvd., Cagayan de Oro City. The
training is intended for the buyers in the PhilGEPS; technically, they are referred
to as the Procuring Entity in the government procurement process. During the
training, the company was able to understand more about the rules and guidelines
in posting procurement activities in the PhilGEPS website.

Photo 7. The trainees with Ms. Gladys Jean

Quijada (middle), one of the only three certified
PhilGEPS Trainers in the region.

B. NFPDD researchers Messrs. Richard L. Lumata, Clifford M. Tagactac, Leo Jess G.
Baya, and PGRCUD researcher Mr. Fortunato L. Galabin III attended the seminar on
Alay sa Bayan (ALAB) last October 1315, 2015 at the Grand Astoria Hotel. The
seminar is intended to orient new government employees on the principles in Civil
Service.
C. OIC Neil J. Melencion was chosen to serve as speaker to the 1st Region XII Coco Coir
Summit last October 22, 2015 at the Babes Bar, East Asia Royal Hotel, National
Highway, General Santos City. The topic discussed was on Technology Updates and
Breakthrough on Coir ValueAdded Products. The topic is intended to enable the
participants be aware and informed on the technology updates and prospects of the
coir valueadded products.
D. Messrs. Clifford M. Tagactac, SRS II, and Pilardo R. Manlangit were chosen to present
as resource persons in the Coconut Business Opportunity Seminar (Utilization of
Coco Fiber & Other ByProducts) last October 2728, 2015. The seminar is an
initiative of the Provincial Government of Quezon thru the Office of the Provincial
Agriculturist. The seminar is intended to provide avenue and opportunity for
prospective coco entrepreneurs to know and adopt new technologies that would
possibly create employment in village level coco coir processing project.
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E. Last October 2830, 2015, members of the Dansullan Farmers Multipurpose

Cooperative conducted an educational tour at the Division. The tour was
recommended by the Provincial Agrarian Reform Office of the Department of
Agrarian Reform in Zamboanga del Norte, as some of the members of the
cooperative are Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs). The tour is intended to be a
more practical and economical way of learning and improving the business
activities of the cooperative, especially in processing coconut byproducts.




Submitted by:


NEIL J. MELENCION, PhD.
Sr. Science Research Specialist/
OICDivision Chief III

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