INTRODUCTION

The coconut tree (cocos nucifera L.) is a member of the family arecaceae (palm family). It is the only accepted species in the genus cocos. The term coconut can refer to the The

entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which, botanically, is a drupe, not a nut. spelling cocoanut is an archaic form of the word.

The term is derived from 16th

century Portuguese and Spanish cocos, meaning, "grinning face", from the three small holes on the coconut shell that resemble human facial features.It is found throughout the tropic and subtropic area. The coconut is also known as The Tree of Life" for its great versatility because of the endless list of products and by-products derived from its various parts. Its trunk and roots, coconut meat, coconut oil, leaves, coconut fruit, coconut water, husk, coconut pith, Inflorescences and Coconut Shell are all being used. Even its waste materials are also useful. It can be used for food, beverage, handicrafts to shelter, fuel, anti soil erosion technology, decorations, medicine and many more, as seen in the many domestic, commercial, and industrial products.

Coconuts are part of the daily diet of many people. Coconuts are different from any other fruits because they contain a large quantity of "water" and when immature or young, they are known as tender-nuts or jelly-nuts and may be harvested for drinking. When mature they still contain some water and can be used as seed nuts or processed to give oil from the kernel, charcoal from the hard shell and coir from the fibrous husk. The endosperm is initially in its nuclear phase suspended within the coconut water. As development continues, cellular layers of endosperm deposit along the walls of the coconut, becoming the edible coconut "flesh". When dried, the coconut flesh is called copra. The oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking and frying; coconut oil is also widely used in soaps and cosmetics. The clear

liquid coconut water within is a refreshing drink and can be processed to create alcohol. The husks and leaves can be used as materials to make a variety of products for furnishing and decorating. It also has cultural and religious significance in many societies that use it.

The Philippines is the world's top producer of coconuts and one of the two largest coconut producers in the world. Their production plays an important role in the economy, It accounts for about 39% of the world's coconut production and about 52% of the world's coconut oil and copra exports.

Sixty-four out of 72 provinces of the country grow coconut as a major crop in varying production capacities. Production is largely concentrated in Mindanao, which accounts for more than 60% of the total coconut production. Southern Tagalog in Luzon is the premier coconutproducing region accounting for almost 15% of the total nut production.

As a major dollar earner of the country, more than 20 million Filipinos or about one-third of the country's population derive their livelihood from coconut. Of these, 1.6 million are farmers and around 1.9 million are farm workers. Aside from copra, which the Philippines is the worlds major and leading producer, it is also a major producer of coconut oil, copra meal, desiccated coconut, coco shell charcoal, activated carbon and coco chemicals.

In order to supply the demands for coconut both local and international, an agency has been created by President Ferdinand Marcos through presidential decree no. 232 on June 30, 1973, It provides the creation of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) as the sole government agency that is tasked to develop the industry to its full potential in line with the new vision of a united, globally competitive and efficient coconut industry.

The physical infrastructures of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) are strategically located in 12 Coconut Regions, 69 provinces and 1,419 municipalities with one main Central Office located at Manila. The Infrastructures include three Research Centers, located at Banao, Guinobatan, Albay, research on coconut cadang-cadang, disease control and biological control; Bago Oshiro, Bugtok District, Davao City research on coconut agro soils and integrated crop protection and; San Ramon, Zamboanga City research on coconut breeding and cocowood utilization.

The City of Zamboanga (Tagalog: Lungsod ng Zamboanga) is a highly urbanized city located in Mindanao, Philippines. It has a population of more than 807,129 according to the 2010 census. Zamboanga is the 6th most populous and 3rd largest city by land area in the Philippines. It is the commercial and industrial center of Zamboanga Peninsula.

The Zamboanga economy is largely agricultural and aqua cultural-based. Agriculture and fishing provide activity and income to 70% of the population. The city territory includes 560 km of arable lands and 700 km of permanent crops, mainly coconut. The city's farmers produce 86,000 metric tons of coconut a year, 26,000 metric tons of rice and 11,000 metric tons of corn.

One of the sectors or agency of the Department of Agriculture, Zamboanga City branch, is the Philippine Coconut Authority Zamboanga Research Center (PCA ZRC) located at San Ramon, Talisayan and is one of the leading agro industry in Zamboanga City. It is the only Research Center in the entire land area of the Philippines that has the biggest land area of approximately 415.3 hectares from the original 500 hectares, and currently the worlds largest depository of coconut collections with emphasis on indigenous varieties / population.

The Philippine Coconut Authority Zamboanga Research Center (PCA ZRC) has a complete facilities from research to product processing and finished products. It is also a part of the Department of Tourism because of its programs and objectives, and Department of Trade and Industry of Zamboanga City because of its by-products. At which the city aims to provide a productivity awareness program to all industry sectors and aims to develop consciousness by the public to appreciate the coconut tree as a Tree of Life and its different usage thru sustainable tourism, Hence this project proposal.

Sustainable tourism is an industry, which attempts to make a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate income, employment, and the conservation of local ecosystems in the PCA - ZRCs location.

With a sustainable tourism to support the proposal the public, stakeholders, sectors and agencies will be encourage to appreciate the informations and technologies related to the researches gathered by the PCA - ZRC. They can learn more about the food and non-food products of PCA ZRC.

A proposed Coco museo to be located at PCA ZRC San Ramon Talisayan, is for the publics interest to understand the values and uses of coconut and to disseminate information on various agencies responsible for the development of coconut-related research activities but also for the sectors and agencies related to Agriculture and Education.

The Coco museo aims to collect and disseminate all the researches of the three divisions in a one structure. Which are the Breeding and Genetics Division that includes the DNAs of different varieties that are cultured to grow and for research of new breeds of coconuts, Timber Utilization Division is more on non-food product, over-mature, unproductive and waste materials of coconuts that are turned into novelty products and many more, and Farm Operation Division is the maintenance and upkeep of field operation including intercropping of fruit trees. It will be the summary of all their divisions facilities and researches. The Coco museo will be a facility with a complete background details regarding the Philippine Coconut Authority its history, background, uses and researches. With the help of new technologies, equipment, and facilities, it would be able to interact with the people. There will be separate facilities for the clients, children, and visitors.

The Coco museo will be a place where education for students, farmers and other coconut landowners learn to appreciate, protect, produce, nurture and preserve the tree of life. Thru education, the economy of coconuts will increase and more unemployed people will have jobs.