Sunday, December 15, 2024

Tag: URC

Bukidnon aims to be PH’s Arabica Capital with coffee roadmap

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MALAYBALAY CITY (August 28, 2024/PIA) — “Bukidnon’s coffee beans, renowned worldwide for their quality, have elevated the province as a global coffee destination. We have world-class coffee beans right here in our backyard. It’s time to unleash their full potential,” declared Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque

Despite this international acclaim, the governor emphasized that the local coffee industry remains weak and underdeveloped. However, he believes the province’s coffee industry is on the cusp of a transformation.

To achieve this revitalization, Roque aims to establish Bukidnon as the “Arabica Capital” of the Philippines. In a recent state-of-the-province address, he referred to the coffee potential as a hidden treasure, underscoring the untapped opportunities.

He said that with the right strategies and investments, Bukidnon can become a shining example of how to turn agricultural resources into economic prosperity.

To turn this vision into reality, the provincial government has established a technical working group (TWG) dedicated to crafting a comprehensive coffee roadmap.

This collaborative effort brings together farmers, processors, sellers, café owners, baristas, and coffee enthusiasts to chart a course for the industry’s growth.

The roadmap will prioritize improving coffee quality and marketability using advanced processing techniques.

Bukidnon seeks to boost its local economy and generate new opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs by reinventing raw coffee beans into high-value products like roasted and ground coffee.

“We want to add value to our coffee beans. We aim to increase farmers’ income and establish Bukidnon as a leader in the global coffee market,” Roque said.

He explained that the newly created TWG is a significant milestone for Bukidnon’s coffee sector because the expertise and experience of various stakeholders could develop a sustainable and profitable coffee industry that can compete globally.

Bukidnon envisions a future where local products, including coffee, are celebrated domestically and internationally.

As the province embarks on this pursuit, the successful implementation of the Coffee Roadmap could serve as a model for other regions seeking to harness their unique agricultural products for economic development. (Bernadith G. Epan/PIA 10-Bukidnon)

Hedcor gives P3.2-M shares to Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

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MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon (July 16, 2024) – Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño receives the municipality’s community shares from Hedcor represented by External Relations Manager for Mindanao David Tacder and Assistant Vice President for External Relations John Michael Rico

The local government plans to allocate the shares to priority projects widening healthcare service access to remote barangays, enhancing support for early childhood education, and improving safety and security through the installation of additional solar street lights.

Broken down, P1.59 million in community shares and P1.63 million in ER 1-94 funds were sourced from the operation of Hedcor’s two hydropower plants in Manolo Fortich, covering the period of July to December 2023.

ER 1-94, a policy of the government, was enacted to ensure that host communities get a reasonable share of the profit from power plants operating in their area. It states that these communities will receive one centavo for every kilowatt hour (P0.01/kWh) generated.

“Thank you very much, Hedcor family, for the significant amount received by the local government. Thank you also for your help to Manolo Fortich. It has been our great dream that a company investing in our town can assist our fellowmen, especially those in need,” said Quiño.

During the 107th Charter Day celebration of Manolo Fortich, the local government recognized Hedcor as one of its top taxpayers for fiscal year 2023, commending its support for the municipality’s programs.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to support the municipality of Manolo Fortich in its efforts to improve the community’s quality of life. We are aligned in our efforts to foster sustainable growth and make a positive difference in the lives of the residents,” said Hedcor President and Chief Operating Officer Rolando Pacquiao. (Manila Bulletin)

MVP buying out dairy farm in Bukidnon for P700 million

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MANILA, Philippines (July 11, 2024) — Business titan Manuel V. Pangilinan is dipping further into the dairy business as he will buy out for around P700 million a Bukidnon-based milk company to increase the supply of his ice cream venture

Pangilinan confirmed to The STAR that he will be acquiring Bukidnon Milk Co. to raise the dairy supply for premium ice cream brand Carmen’s Best of The Laguna Creamery Inc., where he has a controlling stake.

“Sales of our ice cream products have been growing exponentially and we are slowly running out of milk supply from our dairy farm in Bay, Laguna,” Pangilinan said.

“We are buying another dairy farm in Bukidnon to supplement the supply. Maybe we could ship some of the milk to Manila because we want to expand our fresh milk supply and we want to get into yogurt and cheeses,” he added.

Sources privy to the buyout told The STAR that the transaction is estimated to cost at least P700 million. This would make it larger than Pangilinan’s P198 million acquisition of a majority stake in The Laguna Creamery in 2022.

Sources said Metro Pacific Agro Ventures (MPAV), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., is wrapping up negotiations with Bukidnon Milk with the goal of closing the deal this July, in time for Pangilinan’s birth month.

Pangilinan said Bukidnon Milk has a capacity three to four times bigger than MPAV’s dairy farm in Bay, Laguna.

Based on data from the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila, the Philippine market for ice cream products is estimated to reach $408 million, of which $105.3 million is imported.

Pangilinan made his first dip into the dairy business in 2022 when MPAV took on a 51-percent share in The Laguna Creamery, the maker of Carmen’s Best. Pangilinan views his entry into the dairy industry as another step toward food sufficiency.

Apart from this, MPAV partnered with Israel’s LR Group Ltd. to put up the Metro Pacific Dairy Farms through a 60:40 sharing in favor of the Metro Pacific Group. The facility can produce as much as 6.5 million liters of milk every year once it begins operations in 2025.

MPAV hopes to grow the revenue of its dairy business to P500 million by 2025 and P1 billion by 2027.

In earlier interviews with reporters, Pangilinan aired his frustration over the dairy supply in the Philippines, lamenting that 99 percent of the demand is served by imported milk and 70 percent of the supply is powdered, not fresh.

Pangilinan said this import dependency is caused by low yields in dairy farming, as farmers are unable to go beyond traditional practices.

This is where Bukidnon Milk pours into the glass. The company runs a 460-hectare grazing farm in Maramag, Bukidnon—the first and biggest of its kind in Mindanao—where cows are allowed to wander freely.

Bukidnon Milk practices a kind of dairy farming that gives cows a stress-free landscape, as opposed to the usual confined animal feeding operations method. The company also boasts that it neither enriches nor fortifies its milk products, doing nothing more to them than light pasteurization and homogenization to retain their natural nutrients.

In its facility, Bukidnon Milk uses RFID readers and automated sensors for safety and sanitation, and it also employs indigenous peoples in the community to provide them with jobs.

To date, Bukidnon Milk sells its milk products in select outlets of Balai ni Fruitas, Landers, S&R, and SM, and supplies dairy items for coffee shops in Mindanao.

Bukidnon Milk takes care of around 2,000 cows in its land and the company supplies to at least 50 businesses nationwide. (Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas, Elijah Felice Rosales /The Philippine Star)

Bukidnon approves historic IP Code to protect rights, promote cultural growth

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MALAYBALAY CITY (July 15, 2024/PIA) — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the Bukidnon Indigenous Peoples (IP) Code on its third and final reading on July 2

The provincial legislators carefully examined the provisions, weighing the potential impacts on the province’s seven tribes and considering various perspectives.

Their rigorous discussions and debates during the first and second readings ensured that the ordinance aligned with constitutional rights, resulting in a consensus emphasizing the importance of protecting and fostering the cultural development of Bukidnon IP communities.

Championed by Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) lawyer Arbie Llesis, the ordinance aims to protect and foster the cultural development of the seven tribes by establishing mechanisms to preserve their traditions.

“The newly approved ordinance focuses on empowering IPs in the province through several key elements: First, it grants rightful ownership and control of ancestral domains, recognizing their deep connection to the land. Second, it promotes social justice by ensuring equitable treatment and opportunities for these communities. Third, it preserves cultural heritage by protecting languages, traditions, and customs essential to their identity. Lastly, it safeguards IP rights, ensuring they are respected and upheld across all aspects of society,” he said.

Officially known as Ordinance No. 052-2024, or An Ordinance Providing for the Comprehensive Indigenous Welfare and Development Code in the Province of Bukidnon, it represents an advancement in aligning local governance with the mandates of the United Nations, the Philippine Constitution, and national laws concerning IPs.

Llesis clarified that the ordinance aims to create an inclusive environment by honoring IP traditions, empowering them to shape their future, recognizing their vital role, and ensuring they have the necessary resources to thrive.

“The IP Code addresses historical exclusion faced by Indigenous Peoples, emphasizing their land rights and culture preservation while promoting self-determination. It supports development programs and ensures Indigenous communities have access to government resources,” he added.

Former IPMR Richard Dinlayan Macas emphasized the importance of the IP Code, aligning it with the tribes’ aspirations.

“It embodies the dreams of our ancestors, who yearned for recognition of their rights. We are all thankful for its approval as we collectively work towards the province’s progress,” Macas said.

Datu Migketay Victorino Saway, chair of the provincial tribal council, underscored the code’s broader implications.

“The IP Code strengthens our commitment to peace and order, promoting IP recognition and cultural identity. As a community, standing together to support the IP Code uplifts not only Indigenous Peoples but the entire province of Bukidnon,” he said. (Jessa M. Cleopas/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

DA-10, URC strengthens sustainable potato project in Bukidnon

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To scale up the potato production in the province of Bukidnon, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 in partnership with the Universal Robina, Corp. turned over potato seed tubers to the different farmers’ associations (FAs) in Bukidnon on March 23, 2023

A total of 27,000 kilograms (kg) of Granola potato seed tubers were given out to nine farmer groups in Bukidnon and DA-10’s Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) as buffer stock.

Project recipients include FAs from Impasug-ong – Kibenton High-Value Crops Farmers’ Association (3,000 kg), Kubayan Agri Farmers’ Association (3,000 kg), and Intavas Agri Farmers’ Association (3,000 kg); Sumilao – Sumilao Farmers’ Indigenous Association (3,000 kg), Lupiagan Igorot Farmers’ Association (3,000 kg), and Licoan Growers’ Association (3,000 kg); Lantapan – United Ifugao Association in Mindanao (3,000 kg), and Cawayan Farmers’ Association (3,000 kg); and Malaybalay City – Imbayao Community Participatory Action Research (2,500 kg) and DA-10’s NMACLRC (500 kg).

“We are here, continuing our company’s commitment to farming communities to address challenges in terms of getting potato seeds, help with farmers’ livelihood and contribute to the improvement of the national productivity of potatoes,” shared URC Vice-President for Procurement Rebecca E. Yap.

OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca expressed her gratitude to URC for the continued partnership and remarked, “This is very beneficial to our farmers as potato seeds constitute 60% of the overall cost of production. We hope that the associations will be able to sustain their production.”

On receiving the project, Crisilda D. Paguyod, Licoan Farmers’ Association president, thanked DA-10 and URC, especially that acquiring potato seeds has been one of their challenges.

She further added that Granola is well suited in their area and that the seeds they received will be distributed to 20 farmer-members of their group. (DA RFO-10)