Edduba, Odiem, Baluyan, Oliveros unite behind Kalinga coffee’s journey to quality and global markets; Farmers to remain at the center of development

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Kalinga coffee stakeholders united behind a shared goal of improving the quality, sustainability and competitiveness of the province’s coffee industry during the 2nd Kalinga Invitational Coffee Quality and Sustainable Congress held at Kalinga State University on September 8 and 9, 2026.

The two-day congress brought together coffee growers and producers, local government units, national government agencies, academic institutions and other industry stakeholders for plenary and technical sessions on the province’s coffee situation, quality improvement, scientific research, capacity building and industry resilience.

DTI-Kalinga Provincial Director Rene Ramos said the congress aimed to assess the province’s coffee industry across production, processing and marketing, while identifying gaps in the local coffee value chain.

The activity also sought to improve the quality and market reach of Kalinga coffee through geographical indication readiness, collective branding and stronger competitiveness in domestic and international markets, Ramos said.

Another key focus was the use of scientific research, particularly physicochemical and biochemical characterization, to improve the quality of Kalinga Robusta and support the development of new coffee products.

Ramos said the congress also sought to strengthen multi-sector convergence among stakeholders working toward the advancement of the local coffee industry.

“Define it. Document it. Protect it.”

Affirming their commitment to the development, promotion and sustainability of Kalinga’s coffee industry, provincial and local officials, together with DTI Assistant Secretary Grace Baluyan, and representatives of Undersecretary for Special Concerns and Official Development Assistance Jerome Oliveros, signed a pledge of commitment during the congress.

Baluyan, who previously served as DTI-Kalinga provincial director, emphasized that building a strong coffee brand requires collective effort.

She stressed that the strongest coffee brand is not built by individuals but by communities, underscoring the need to “Define it. Document it. Protect it.”

For his part, Oliveros, whose message was delivered by Department of Agriculture National Coffee Focal Person Enrique Dela Cruz, emphasized the need to ensure that farmers remain at the center of industry development.

“The system should work for the farmer, and not the other way around,” Oliveros said.

Leaders back Kalinga coffee

Among the officials present or represented during the congress were Governor James S. Edduba, represented by Provincial Administrator Teddy Gulay; Vice Governor Dave Odiem; Congresswoman Caroline Agyao, represented by Atty. Chesed Sofia Munda; Tinglayan Mayor Charles Abay, represented by Municipal Administrator Atty. Mark Dave Bang-as; and Kalinga State University President Dr. Joy Grace Doctor.

Directors and representatives of various national government agencies also participated in the activity.

The congress highlighted the importance of collaboration across the coffee value chain—from farmers and producers to government agencies, researchers, local governments and market partners—to ensure that Kalinga coffee continues to improve in quality while creating greater opportunities for the people who produce it.