Finally, Baguio has its own coffee brand.
The Baguio City Farmers Cooperative (BCFC) produces coffee products currently being sold in the market.
Councilor Philian Allan said coffee beans processed by the cooperative are from plantations owned by farmers in the city.
Allan, chair of the city council’s committee on market, trade, commerce and agriculture, has spearheaded the formation of the cooperative in 2019, which was the year she authored Ordinance 2 or the “Coffee Ordinance of Baguio,” which established the Baguio City coffee processing center and appropriated funds for the skills enhancement of local coffee growers and farmers.
The Department of Trade and Industry-Cordillera provided the BCFC with a processing center through the Shared Services Facilities program. The center will do all the steps of coffee production such as depulping, hulling, grinding, roasting, sorting, vacuum packaging, impulse sealing, and product delivery.
A processing center will increase the productivity of coffee growers as they will be provided with energy-efficient technologies and more sophisticated equipment resulting in the increase of their revenue and the sustainability of their coffee farms. Allan cited the invaluable efforts of the DTI-Cordillera, Department of Agriculture-Cordillera, City Veterinary and Agricultural Office, the city council, other officials and agencies that made it possible for Baguio to have its own coffee brand. Cheers!
The LGU-Baguio Employees Association Incorporated (BEAI) will conduct an employees’ bloodletting activity on Dec. 7 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the city council session hall in coordination with the Philippine Red Cross-Baguio chapter. BEAI president Jerry Guevara said the event is part of the city’s celebration of National Employees Week every first week of December in line with Presidential Proclamation 1130 s. 1997.
Also to be held is an outreach program for clients of the Social Development Center at Irisan and at the City Social Welfare Development Office Silungan Center on Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration will kick-off during the flag-raising rites at City Hall on Dec. 6 at 8 a.m. highlighted by a raffle draw for government workers.
Here’s “Dreams” by Langston Hughes : “ Hold fast to dreams/ For if dreams die/ Life is a broken-winged bird/ That cannot fly./ Hold fast to dreams/ For when dreams go/ Life is a barren field/ Frozen with snow.”
Let’s end with a prayer: “Thankful Lord, that You’ve blessed me beyond measure. Thankful that in my heart lives life’s greatest treasure. That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place and I’m ever so grateful for Your unending grace. So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You’ve provided, and bless each and every person invited.”
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless and keep us all safe.
