The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) together with Department of Agriculture (DA), ACDI/VOCA, the Barista and Coffee Academy of Asia (BCAA), and Coffee Quality Institute, awarded the best coffee producers in the country through the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC) Awarding Ceremony at Waterfront Hotel, Davao City on 18 March 2022. This year, 87 coffee farmers participated and submitted their coffee beans.

The PCQC began in 2018 as part of the 3^rd Philippine Coffee Conference, a gathering of coffee stakeholders in the country to learn and share their knowledge about coffee. Since then, more and more stakeholders are getting interested in PCQC and more farmers are signifying their interest to join the competition. Because of PCQC, the coffee stakeholders realized the importance of good quality coffee – the value adding, increased competitiveness, consumer safety and confidence that will cultivate loyalty to the local coffees. The annual competition is meant to assess and promote locally produced coffee to a bigger market, as well as improve local coffee production in the country through consultations and capacity-building activities.

In her commitment message, DTI Regional Operations Group (ROG) Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona said “We will also continue to partner with all organizations in the Technical Working Group (TWG) and play an active role to ensure the sustainability of the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition. It is about time that we convene at the discussion table to explore ways to institutionalize this annual program defining further the roles of the key players, and the resources required. Other very important matters such as participation of the Philippines in global/ multinational events for the purpose of benchmarking and knowing further the market, as well as the international auction of winning coffees through secured and credible platforms.”

Topping the list for Arabica according to rank are:

• 1^st Marifel Dela Cerma from Davao del Sur
• 2^nd Cherry Gil Cabanday from Davao del Sur
• 3rd Arnold Pina from Bukidnon
• 4^th Belinda Besto from Bukidnon
• 5^th Ronald Dicdican from Davao del Sur
• 6^th Cecilia G.Cavalida from Davao Del Sur
• 7^th Jhon Lawrence D. Dela Cerna from Davao Del Sur
• 8^th Marilyn Tibog from Davao Del Sur
• 9^th Renaldo Mansulay from Bukidnon and Leizel I. Silvano from Davao del Sur
• 10^th Rosemarie Rupecio from Davao del Sur
• 11^th Jerry Lapasigue from Davao del Sur

For the Robusta Category:

• 1^st Mabini C. Ubuan of San Elias, Sigay, Ilocos Sur
• 2^nd Lovern E. Estrada from Sultan Kudarat
• 3^rd Rey John A. Basco from Sultan Kudarat
• 4^th Eljean V. Dagohoy from Bukidnon
• 5^th Lorna Libante from Bukidnon
• 6^th Erlinda B. Dao-Ayan from Ilocos Sur
• 7^th April Lie T. Obique from Negros Occidental
• 8^th Pablo Helomoc from Bukidnon
• 9^th Juana B. Bitongan from Ilocos Sur
• 10t^h Olimpo D. Lumasok from Kalinga

All winning coffee bags will be auctioned for local and international buyers. Tune in to the DTI CAR and PCQC Facebook pages for more information. ♦

Date of Release: 13 April 2022