The Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Agnes Catherine T. Miranda, in a recent convergence meeting of coffee industry players in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, lauded the leadership and commitment of the partners involved. The convergence, which started within the scope of the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat, has now expanded to a regional initiative.
“I’m impressed. This is government at work,” Usec Miranda said at the close of the convergence meeting held on September 3, 2024. Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu, who presided over the first part of the meeting, emphasized the importance of the coffee industry in the province. “Supporting coffee empowers farmers and provides opportunities that address poverty,” he said.
Gov. Mangudadatu attended almost the entire meeting, with Mr. Ronan Eugene Garcia, chair of the Regional Coffee Council, taking over in the latter part of the session to chair discussions involving regional agencies and representatives from the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, and Sarangani.
USec. Miranda highlighted the governor’s active leadership as a key factor in the successful convergence of agencies. Original convergence members include DA-XII, the Sultan Kudarat Coffee Council, DTI, DOST, ATI, Sultan Kudarat State University, Philippine Equity Foundation, Mahintana Foundation, and ACDI/VOCA.
Currently, other agencies have joined the convergence, including DENR, DSWD, and DOT. It was suggested that DENR’s National Greening Program may focus on coffee, aligning with the priorities of Sultan Kudarat and Region 12. DSWD’s cash allowances are aimed at benefiting farming communities, particularly coffee farmers, while DOT is integrating coffee into the tourism experience for prospective visitors.
The provincial convergence began in 2021 through the PRDP and the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Government. Since then, various activities have been implemented with the support of local, national, and international agencies. These activities include training sessions for coffee farmers, the development of provincial and regional coffee profiles, coffee quality competitions, and coffee congresses.
“Not only are we the top producer of coffee, but as shown in the last national coffee congress, our coffee won most of the awards,” Mr. Garcia remarked. (𝐄𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐞, 𝐈-𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝)