KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- Soccsksargen Region's Regional Development Council (RDC 12) supports the efforts of the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat to be officially declared as the "Coffee Capital of the Philippines." 

In its 80th Meeting Wednesday, the RDC 12 unanimously approved Resolution No. 38 s. 2023 "Requesting the Senate of the Philippines to Confer to the Province of Sultan Kudarat the Designation of Coffee Capital of the Philippines." 

Private Sector Representative Joselito Kakilala, who also chairs the Economic Development Committee (EDC) of the RDC 12 explained that Region 12 is the top coffee producer in the country, contributing about 37 percent share of Philippine's coffee production. 

He noted further that Sultan Kudarat shares about 86 percent of the regional coffee yield. 

2021 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 12  indicated that Soccsksargen Region has the widest area devoted to coffee production in the country with 26,172 hectares planted to the said crop.  Of this area, 20,437 hectares or 78 percent are in the province of Sultan Kudarat. 

In terms of coffee production, in 2021 the region ranked first in the Philippines, contributing  about 34.66 percent (21,007.41 metric tons ) to dried coffee (DC) and 34.66  percent  (10,503.71 MT)  of green coffee beans (GCB) produced in the country.

Sultan Kudarat contributed 85.90 percent both for dried coffee and green coffee beans to the total regional production.

In an earlier interview, Ronan Eugene Garcia, chairperson of the Sultan Kudarat Coffee Council and SOCCSKSARGEN Coffee Council told Philippine Information Agency that a designation as the country's coffee capital could redound to benefits mostly for the coffee growers.

"We want to be  declared as the coffee capital because we know the impact and favorable results of such declaration to tourism, job opportunities, and many other advantages," Garcia said. 

Garcia also noted that the council, in cooperation with the provincial government, led by Governor Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu, is keen on improving the added value of the province's coffee produce, particularly Robusta coffee, which constitutes about 90 percent of the coffee grown in the province. 

"We have to elevate the quality of our coffee to become fine Robusta and gain added value. An added value to our Robusta coffee means increase in the income of our ordinary coffee farmers," Garcia said.

"And with Governor Mangudadatu taking ownership of this initiative, he said that 'we will push for large scale processing where  all those who would opt for a better brand for their coffee could benefit. We will consolidate and process. Sultan Kudarat will be known as a source of fine Robusta in the Philippines,'" he added. 

Sultan Kudarat's coffee has been the champion in competitions in Italy and Singapore. (PIA SOCCSKSARGEN)