TABUK CITY,Kalinga (PIA) — The Cordillera Cacao Industry Development Council (CCIDC) held its third quarter meeting in Kalinga, bringing together cacao farmers, growers, processors, entrepreneurs, government agencies, and other stakeholders from across the region to discuss strategies and actions to advance the industry.
Part of the discussion was on enhancing the visibility and advocacy for the industry with the council agreeing to work on getting recognized by the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) and being included in the Regional Development Council (RDC) to gain more government support and assistance.
“Kailangan nating ma-recognize sa RAFC para during the meeting of the RDC we will be included. Gusto ko rin talaga mag-attend kasi kung hindi nila tayo nare-recognize sa RDC, haan da nga mangmangeg nu anya ti aramiden tayo,” CCIDC chairperson Eva Ritchelle Padua said.
The council also agreed to incorporate the cacao industry in the local development plans of local government units to help establish the commodity as a key component of local economic growth.
The council also decided on the creation of an association to serve as a unifying body of cacao MSMEs.
Composed purely of stakeholders from the private sector, the Cordillera Cacao Industry Association will seek enrollment as a chapter of the Philippine Cacao Industry Association in order to gain access to valuable resources, training, and networking opportunities for the development of the sector.
The CCIDC third quarter meeting was held at the M Hotel in Appas, Tabuk City on Oct. 3, 2024, attended by cacao focal persons and technicians from the local government units and concerned government agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Bureau of Plant Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Agrarian Reform, among others. (JDP/IOS-PIA CAR,Kalinga)