BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Coffee farmers from Kalinga emerged as top winners in this year’s North Luzon Coffee Quality Competition (NLCQC), highlighting the growing competitiveness of the Cordillera coffee industry and opening wider market opportunities for local producers.
During the awarding ceremony held in Baguio City on May 21, 2026, Kalinga entries secured the highest honors in both the Arabica and Robusta categories of the annual competition organized by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) North Luzon and its partners.
The competition evaluated 63 entries from DA-PRDP and Department of Trade and Industry-supported coffee producers across Northern Luzon, recognizing high-quality Arabica and Robusta beans while promoting the region’s expanding coffee sector.
In the Arabica category, Erwin C. Mangaoang of Hiddenhills Regenerative Coffee Farms in Balbalasang, Balbalan, Kalinga, ranked first with a cupping score of 85.5.
Shiela L. Patong and Joyce Busoy, both members of the Sagada Arabica Coffee Growers and Processors Organization in Mountain Province, tied for second place with a score of 83.58, while Geoffrey B. Palao-ay of the Tuba Benguet Coffee Growers Organization in Benguet placed third with a score of 83.50.
In the Robusta category, Olivia Imperial of the Gawidan Malin-awaan Marketing Cooperative in Tabuk City, Kalinga, shared the top rank with Joan Dulagan of the Tiblac Farmers Agricultural Cooperative in Nueva Vizcaya, both earning a cupping score of 85.06.
Imperial said her victory this year came after failing to place in last year’s competition, motivating her to continue improving the quality of their coffee. She hopes to inspire her children and fellow coffee growers in their community to produce better-quality coffee that could command higher prices in the market.
Other entries from the Cordillera also made it to the top 10 of their respective categories, including producers from the Northern Hill Farmers Association, Mountain Province Arabica Coffee Enterprise, and Conner Multipurpose Cooperative.
Organizers said the top 10 coffee lots in each category will be auctioned through an online platform, providing winning farmers and cooperatives with wider market access and potential premium buyers.
The NLCQC sessions were conducted from April 29 to May 7 and covered green bean grading, roasting, and blind cupping by professionals composed of CQI Q Arabica and Robusta graders, SCA CVA cuppers, and a master roaster.
The event was spearheaded by DA-PRDP North Luzon in partnership with the Regional Project Coordination Offices in CAR, Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley, along with the DTI, Benguet State University, and the Barista and Coffee Academy of Asia. **JDP/RGA – PIA CAR with reports from DA-PRDP Cordillera
