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LGU MANOLO FORTICH AND NBSC COLLABORATES FOR PROJECT MOCHA
Launching of Project MOCHA
On September 27, 2023, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) hosted the launch of Project MOCHA (Management of Coffee, Honey, and Adlai) with the theme "Engendering Climate Resilience and Valorization of Bukidnon's Indigenous Products." The event took place at the UPLB’s New Graduate School Building in Los Baños, Laguna.
Project MOCHA is a pilot initiative under the Philippines-Canada Network for Sustainability (PCNS). The municipalities of Sumilao and Manolo Fortich were chosen as project implementation sites. The leadership for this project will be provided jointly by UPLB and Northern Bukidnon State College (NBSC), with significant support from the Canadian Government through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). The launch ceremony was officiated by Dr. Catherine Roween Chico-Almaden, President of NBSC, and Dr. Nathaniel C. Bantayan, Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension at UP Los Baños.
Dr. Almaden, an alumna of UPLB - which is a PCNS member, collaborated with UPLB to facilitate NBSC's inclusion in the PCNS. During the launch, she presented the project's specifics, explaining, "Project MOCHA aims to valorize and add value to selected indigenous food products from Bukidnon, including coffee, wild raw honey, and adlai, all while promoting sustainable agriculture. This project is a result of the partnership between NBSC, UP-Los Baños, and the Philippines-Canada Network for Sustainability (PCNS), a network of higher education institutions dedicated to collaborative sustainability initiatives. NBSC is one of the pioneering members of this network."
The project selected four barangays in Manolo Fortich as pilot sites, namely Barangays Guilang-guilang, Santiago, Lindaban, and Kalugmanan, chosen for their indigenous food products and their capacity for production of coffee, wild raw honey, and adlai. Barangay Guilang-guilang and Santiago are known for their wild raw honey and coffee production, while Kalugmanan and Lindaban excel in Adlai planting and production. Project MOCHA will oversee mapping, analysis, capacity building, advocacy, and promotion of these local products.
The Local Government of Manolo Fortich will supervise projects in specific areas, particularly those related to agriculture, as a result of their partnership with NBSC. The Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) technical staff will collaborate with Sangguniang Bayan members, led by Vice Mayor Reynaldo Bagayas Jr., to ensure project implementation.
Notable figures present at the launch included Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David B. Hartman, Bukidnon 1st District Congressman Jose Manuel Alba, UP System Vice President for Academic Affairs Leo Cubillan, UP Los Baños Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr., Trade Commissioner Angel Cachuela, and representatives from member institutions of the Philippines-Canada Network for Sustainability (PCNS).
In attendance were also Committee on Agriculture Chairperson and Sangguniang Bayan Member Coun. Raquel Abales-Bayacag, as well as Committee on Farmers Chairperson Coun. Elzevir A. Dagunlay. Additionally, Municipal Agriculturist Gemma Cania, NBSC Research Director Caroline Laarni Sereñas, and Charlene Bulahan-Undag were present as part of the project team, along with the MAO technical staff.
Municipal Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño, who is passionate about initiatives that promote sustainability and collaboration between different stakeholders, expressed his support for Project MOCHA, “Dili moundang mangita og pamaagi sa pag-asdang sa kapobrehon.” It is an emphasis on how he cares about improving the lives of those who need it.
Furthermore, Municipal Agriculturist Gemma Cania extended her profound gratitude to those involved in the project. “We are indeed very thankful. Excited with many endless possibilities in developing and marketing our indigenous farm products and to enhance the capacity of MAO technical staff that will work on the project. With the very active, consultative and hands-on policymakers Coun. Raquel Abales Bayacag and Coun. Elzevir Dagunlay, they will be our constant partners on the many activities in store for project MOCHA. Daghang salamat sa kanunay!”
LGU Manolo Fortich’s commitment to identifying groundbreaking approaches for sustainable development is exemplified by its expanding networks and collaborations with esteemed academic institutions and international governments. With the launch of Project MOCHA, the Municipality of Manolo Fortich has further solidified its dedication to sustainability and collaboration.
Dara Eloise L. Quiño
Editor
Date Posted: October 04, 2023
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