Why coffee?

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Coffee supply in the country decreases as its demand continues to increase. That is why the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Bataan conducted a forum on the development of coffee industry in the province last Friday, October 13, 2017, at Crown Royale Hotel.

Attended by farmers and representatives of the Provincial/Municipal Agriculture Offices, experts in the coffee industry shared some important coffee history, development, and future plans.

Ms. Ruth Novales (VP & Corporate Affairs Executive, Nestle PH) presented Nestle’s global scenario on coffee and coffee development programs, Ms. Nelin Cabahug (OIC-Provincial Director, DTI Bataan) presented the features of the Philippine coffee road map and its localization and implementation, Ms. Cindy Jaime (Trade & Industry Development Specialist) presented the localized coffee industry and accomplishments in Bataan, and Ms. Gina Mangalindan (Regional Coffee Council Chairperson) presented the Bataan Coffee Industry Council and the Executive Order.

During the forum, it was reiterated that Bataan has a lot of potential in the coffee industry because it is a first class coffee flowering province and its government is willing to help give coffee and train farmers on the right coffee planting, production, and business. Bataeños were encouraged to participate more in the different coffee programs and to patronize coffee products that were proudly and originally made in the Philippines.

Also, one objective of the Bataan Coffee Industry Council is to establish a coffee brand in Bataan that will be unique, that can stand out among the rest, and that if you taste it you could easily determine it’s from Bataan. “Kumpleto na tayo sa Bataan, aayusin at pagtutulungan na lang,” Ms. Mangalindan concluded.

So, why coffee? I say, why not?