NBSC PRESIDENT GIVES A THOROUGH ORIENTATION ABOUT PROJECT MOCHA

PROJECT MOCHA ORIENTATION

Project MOCHA (Management of Coffee, Honey, and Adlai) is a pilot initiative within the Philippines-Canada Network for Sustainability (PCNS), in which both Northern Bukidnon State College (NBSC) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) are participating institutions. Dr. Catherine Roween Chico-Almaden, President of NBSC, is leading the project in collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich through the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO).

MAO and NBSC jointly organized an orientation for the project on October 4, 2023, at the Legislative Building, Sangguniang Bayan Hall, Manolo Fortich. This orientation took place just one week after the official launch of Project MOCHA at UPLB, Laguna. The participants included barangay officials from selected pilot sites, Indigenous Peoples' Mandatory Representations (IPMRs), as well as LGU officials and personnel involved in the project implementation.

The chosen pilot sites for the project's implementation encompass barangays Guilang-guilang, Santiago, Kalugmanan, and Lindaban. Several criteria were considered when selecting these pilot sites. These criteria included the existing coffee, wild raw honey, and Adlai production in the area, the willingness of barangay officials and residents to participate, particularly among indigenous groups, and the capacity of these individuals/communities to support and sustain the project. Guilang-guilang and Santiago are renowned for their coffee and wild raw honey production, while Kalugmanan and Lindaban are currently engaged in Adlai planting and production.

During the orientation, Barangay Chairperson Glenn S. Gulle of Guilang-guilang, Barangay Chairperson Jerville Senagonia of Santiago, Barangay Chairperson Hernando Daluan of Kalugmanan, and Barangay Chairperson Leonardo Anlagan of Lindaban were present to gain a comprehensive understanding of Project MOCHA and its objectives. Dr. Almaden patiently addressed their inquiries and provided detailed information about the various components of the project. She also expressed gratitude to the LGU for their active support of NBSC as an institution and elaborated on the objectives, implementation plan, and expected outcomes of Project MOCHA to the barangay officials. “Didto sa Canada, dako kaayo ang ilang gihatag nga pagtagad ug importansya sa ilahang first nations (Canada’s Indigenous Peoples), ug mao ni ang nakapa-encourage namo nganong among project para sa Indigenous Peoples (IPs) ug Indigenous food products tungod kay ang Canadian Government, dako kaayo ang iyahang gina-support para sa mga Indigenous Food Systems," stated Almaden.

Municipal Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño was also in attendance and expressed his gratitude for NBSC President's initiative in promoting indigenous products at an international level. “Sa tinood lang, kini nga mga produkto gina produce ni diri Doc., only nga ang problema gyud nila is marketing. Then ang product quality. It must be produced in accordance with the quality nga adaptable sa human consumption.” He suggested that the products should be appropriately labeled, such as providing cooking instructions and highlighting their health benefits, to enhance their market demand. His remarks underscored the project's significance in promoting these products and improving the lives of individuals and communities, especially the indigenous peoples who have a traditional involvement in their production. Additionally, Municipal Vice Mayor Reynaldo Bagayas Jr., Municipal Agriculturist Gemma Cania, MAO technical staff, and Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) Sharon Tacbobo were among the participants in the orientation.