The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, have opened a new Coconut Tissue Culture Center, a facility expected to strengthen coconut research and plantlet production in Northern Luzon.

The center, located along the Batac–Paoay Road, was blessed and dedicated on 20 January.

PCA said the facility is part of a P20-million infrastructure project approved on 7 May 2025, aimed at enhancing MMSU’s research capacity and expanding support for the coconut industry.

The project broke ground on 22 August 2025, with officials led by PCA Administrator Dexter R. Buted, Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis, and MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano Jr., along with representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Pastor Marcial Gabriel led the blessing rites, which were attended by staff from MMSU’s Research, Development and Innovation units and personnel from PCA Ilocos Norte, headed by Rose Ann Cabaloan.

In his remarks, Manzano said the facility reflects the university’s push to fast-track infrastructure projects.

Mark Roy Q. Macanlalay, PCA regional manager for Regions 1 and 2 and the Cordillera Administrative Region, said the agency supports MMSU initiatives focused on research-driven programs for the coconut sector.

MMSU Vice President for Research, Development and Innovation Nathaniel Alibuyog toured guests around the building during the event.

MMSU Research Director Dionisio Bucao, the project leader, said the infrastructure has been completed, but the university has submitted research and development components to PCA to activate the laboratory and maximize the use of equipment installed at the center.

Bucao added that the R&D components are needed to support the center’s long-term operations and its intended role in coconut research and plantlet production.

MMSU said it expects laboratory operations to begin in the coming months once the approved R&D components are implemented.