PCA Inducts 11 New Scholars at DOrSU, Each Receiving ₱70,000 in Assistance
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) inducted 11 new scholars from Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) under the Scholarship Program for Coconut Farmers and Their Families (CoScho) in a ceremony held on December 11, 2025, at the DOrSU Main Campus in the City of Mati. Each scholar received ₱70,000 in assistance, with ₱30,000 allocated for a laptop and ₱40,000 provided as a one-semester stipend.
CoScho is a flagship initiative of the PCA, in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), for qualified and deserving coconut farmers and their family members who are registered in the National Coconut Farmers Registry System (NCFRS). It is intended to open access to higher education for coconut-producing households while building a pool of professionals who can help modernize and sustain the coconut industry.
Now on its third batch since it started in Academic Year 2023–2024, the program continues to expand its reach in Mindanao. In the Davao Region alone, 51 CoScho scholars have been selected this year, including the new grantees from DOrSU.
The activity also gathered 36 CoScho graduates who completed their scholarship period and were oriented on the required three-year return service, which calls on them to serve in coconut-related institutions, communities, or initiatives after completing their degrees.
In his message, PCA Department Manager Dr. Aldrin A. Darilag expressed pride in the scholars, noting their potential to contribute to the improvement of the coconut industry. He said he hoped to see them become significant contributors in the sector and encouraged them to use the opportunity to build a strong foundation for their future careers.
DOrSU President Dr. Roy G. Ponce, in his closing remarks, also conveyed his pride in the scholars. He reminded them that the return service required by the program is not a burden but an act of giving back to the communities and institutions that helped them pursue their academic goals. He emphasized that the assistance they received came with the responsibility of contributing to the development of the sector that supported their education.
This initiative supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
By tying tertiary education support to community service in the coconut sector, the CoScho program seeks not only to finance students’ schooling but also to channel new skills and expertise back to coconut-growing communities such as those in Davao Oriental and the wider Davao Region.
