Sagada, Mt. Province gets P33M to modernize coffee processing facility

Sagada, Mt. Province - Sagada, Mt. Province, is known for producing high-quality, “single-origin” Arabica coffee, which thrives in the town’s scenic terrain and cool climate.   

Said variety of coffee has long served as an economic booster of the said town since it provides livelihood to local farmers, creates employment opportunities, attracts tourists, and promotes local entrepreneurship. 

To further boost the town’s coffee industry, the Sagada Arabic Coffee Growers and Processors Organization (SACGPO) proposed to the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera that the “Sagada Roasterie,” a space for coffee roasting and grinding, be upgraded.

The proposed project, as cited by a regional media outlet, aims to transform the facility into a modern, high-capacity processing hub that will further boost production, enhance quality, and expand market reach for Sagada’s premium coffee.   

On January 30 this year, the DA-CAR approved the proposed project through its Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-Up and eventually advanced after the DA-PRDP issued the No. Objection Letter 1 (NOL 1) on Tuesday, October 7. 

The issuance of the NOL 1 means that the approved project has passed further evaluation and has been cleared to begin bidding for its construction and the acquisition of necessary equipment and materials.  

In its report, the DA-PRDP-Cordillera said there are a total of P33 million in funds allotted to the project, which will be provided by the World Bank (P20 million loan proceeds), the national government through DA (P6.67 million), and SACGPO (P6.68 million as its counterpart). 

The project, once completed, is expected to further sustain the livelihoods of the local farmers and Sagada’s reputation for producing one of the country’s finest Arabica coffees.