The Legislative Monitoring and Evaluation team observed that Ordinance No. 2, series of 2021 that established the Baguio City Coffee Processing Center and appropriating funds for the skills enhancement of coffee growers and farmers in the city is being currently implemented but there is a need to amend it to incorporate the suggestions and recommendations of the concerned implementing offices.
In a letter dated August 1, 2024, City Veterinarian and Agriculture Officer Dr. Silardo Bested stated that the ordinance had a great positive impact on the local coffee industry and with continued support and enhancements, the Baguio City Coffee Processing Center can further solidify its role in promoting sustainable coffee production and empowering local coffee growers.
For her part, Juliet P. Lucas, regional director of the Cordillera office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-CAR), suggested that the coverage of the ordinance should include processors, roasters, home-grown coffee shop owners and baristas to be assisted by the local government to undertake a common purpose towards the development of a Baguio coffee brand.
Further, the local farmers, processors, roasters, home-grown coffee shop owners and baristas shall organize themselves into an association or cooperative so they can avail of trainings and the use of the Baguio City Coffee Processing Center. Membership to the organization shall be strictly for the local farmers and concerned stakeholders and not for traders and end users.
She also claimed that the CVAO should organize and coordinate trainings for the coffee growers, processors, roasters, home-grown coffee shop owners and baristas from the different city barangays. The trainings shall be conducted in relation, but not limited to farming, growing, harvesting, drying and other related agricultural trainings which can be coordinated with the Department of Agriculture, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and other government and non-government agencies.
Lucas clarified that non-members can avail of the shared services facility provided that they pay for the use of utilities and equipment rental, or non-members can opt to apply as a member of the organization as the conduit group.
The DTI-CAR also recommended to include funding for the various skills enhancement and upgrading such as post-harvesting training, cupping training, brewing training, roasting training, competitions like the annual Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC) and other national competitions where Baguio will be represented. By Dexter A. See