Cordillera’s champion commodities are being promoted through the Agribusiness Support Promotion and Investment in Regional Expositions (ASPIRE) project regional trade fair and exhibit at the Provincial Capitol, La Trinidad, Benguet from January 24-26, 2018.
At hand to open the trade fair and exhibit were: Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for Agribusiness and Marketing, and Regional Engagement; Andrew Villacorta, Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness; Christopher Morales, DA-AMAS Director; Rufino Panagan, DA Consultant for Luzon Cluster A; Narciso Edillo, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director; Cresencio Pacalso, Governor of Benguet; Eden David, DTI-CAR Provincial Director for Kalinga; Daimler Cuyan, PCCI-Baguio-Benguet Chapter President; and Atty. Jesus Ros, OIC-Assistant Director of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of the Philippines.
Highland vegetables, organic farm products, heirloom rice, coffee, cacao, and ube are some of the priority commodities of the region that are on exhibit and sale. The agricultural fresh produce and agri-based processed products in CAR and selected regions in the Philippines were also showcased and were for sale.
ASPIRE is a collaborative project of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade ad Industry (DTI), and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to promote and market agri-based products and link farmer-entrepreneurs to businesses. It aims to promote local agriculture and fishery produce and agri-based products while showcasing its strong backward linkage with farmers and fisherfolk.
“Filipinos as regular consumers, for safety reasons, choose local products. The top three CAR products with a distinct market are the heirloom rice which is recognized locally and internationally, Arabica coffee on the other hand is praised by Filipino baristas all over the country for its flavor and delicious taste, and highland vegetables are known for its freshness”, explained USec. Romulo-Puyat.
USec. Romulo-Puyat also invites farmers to participate in DA’s market encounters. The department has an ongoing partnership with the Ayala Group which gives farmers access to a free venue where they can sell their products.
In addition, the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Philippine Collective trademark was unveiled and certificates were awarded to the three established Heirloom Rice Cooperatives in CAR. The said coops are the Benguet Heirloom Rice Farmers Agricultural Cooperative (BHRFAC), Kalinga Rice Terraces Farmers Agricultural Cooperative (KRTFAC), and Mountain Province Heirloom Rice Farmers Agricultural Cooperative (MPHRFAC).
Atty. Ros highlighted the significance of the trademark as a symbol for local and international markets to distinguish that the rice they are buying has certain qualities, characteristics, and a reputation that is unique and distinctly Cordillera.
”The trademark will be sought after because it represents a seal of quality, and the culture and traditions of the place where the rice came from. This in turn adds value to the product. Heirloom rice means ‘pamana ng lahi’ which is the very essence of the brand. I know that our ancestors are looking down and very proud of this achievement,” he said.
The ASPIRE trade fair and exhibit was open from 7AM to 6PM until January 26.**Ayra Galanza
