Legazpi City – The Department of Agriculture in the Bicol region is currently pursuing the activities of the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) which seeks to develop the coco geonets of Albay.  In connection with this, a value chain consultation workshop for stakeholders was  conducted at Alicia Hotel in Legazpi City.  Top photo shows VCA Consultant Jonah Nobleza presenting the workshop agenda which include: the VCA findings, validation of the findings, discussion of the competitiveness vision, identification of the underlying causes and the potential solutions.  Also present during the consultation were: Shandy Hubilla , Program Support Officer Luzon B Project Coordinator; Carlos Magnaye , OIC DA Planning Services and I-Plan Component Head, Ms. Leny Pecson , I-REAP component Alternate Head, Dr. Elena de los Santos,  PRDP V Focal Person,  Ernesto Parato, I-Plan Component Head of Bicol, Arnie Ilan , I-Build Component Head, Maribel Bitao, I-Support Component Head  and Mary Ann Cuya I-Plan Staff. PRDP is a special foreign assisted project of the Department of Agriculture. (Mabelle Roa-Ilan)