BORNEO New Energy Company from Malaysia is eyeing coconut shells from Davao as an alternative energy resource, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 11 said.
Company representatives Lian Sheng Wang and Kiing Teck Wee met with DA-11 officials to evaluate the region’s supply of coconut shells and by-products for potential sustainable energy partnerships.
“Discussion focused on Borneo New Energy Company’s interest in purchasing coconut shells for energy production. The company is also looking into a minimum supply capacity, with an initial existing plan requiring around 100 metric tons, subject to further assessment of available commodities and supply potential,” the DA said in a statement.
As part of the assessment of potential partnership, the DA said it is working with the Katipunan Small Coconut Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, which produces 400 to 500 metric tons of coconuts monthly.
“Potential collaboration with Borneo New Energy Company may provide coconut farmers with an additional market for coconut shells that are otherwise treated as waste or low-value by-products,” the DA said.
The Philippine Coconut Authority earlier said that it is expecting a 5% increase in coconut production this year.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that the Philippines produced 4.022 million metric tons of coconut in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting a 3.5% decline from the 4.018 million metric tons in the same quarter of the previous year.
The government is eyeing to plant 100 million coconut trees by 2028 to boost the country’s coconut industry, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July. (GMA News)
