Engr. Redelliza A. Gruezo, Regional High Value Crops Development Program Coordinator lauded the active participation of some 120 stakeholders composing of coffee growers and cooperatives from CALABARZON, and representatives from the local government units and provincial agriculture offices.

“Patuloy nating pag-ibayuhin ang pagtatanim ng kape sa pamamagitan ng rehabilitation nito upang buhayin ang ating kapihan lalo na sa mga lalawigan ng Quezon, Cavite at Batangas. Sa dalawang araw na workshop na ito kasama sa ating bibigyang-diin ang pagpapalaganap ng value chain para sa kape at ang suporta ng kagawaran sa pamamagitan ng pagpapautang upang makatulong sa mga magsasaka ng kape,” said Engr. Gruezo.

Among the topics discussed were data of coffee production in CALABARZON, basics of coffee production and processing, innovation and market opportunities, and loan and credit assistance.

Also present were Agricultural Program Coordinating Officers (Eda F. Dimapilis of Cavite, Fidel L. Libao of Batangas, and Rolando P. Cuasay of Quezon); Enrique dela Cruz, representative of USec. Evelyn Laviña for High Value Crops and Rural Credit; Regin Pariño, representative of Paolo Tatlonghari, National Coffee Focal Person and High Value Crops and Rural Credit; Mary Ann Mada and Prescilla Flores of the Department of Trade and Industry; Atty. Andrew Ian Edrada, Regional Manager of Philippine Coconut Authority; Herminigildo Jocson, Regional National Greening Program Coordinator of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources IV-A; and others from the banking institutions.