DAVAO CITY – Fifty-three stakeholders of the thriving Davao Region’s cacao industry have expressed their support towards the reactivation of its council.  

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), a staunch believer of partnerships, implements initiatives on industry development with the representatives from other government agencies, the academe, and industry, known as the tri-helix collaboration. 

The Industry Cluster Enhancement (ICE) program aims to promote and develop the eight priority industries that the agency supports, namely: cacao, coffee, processed fruits and nuts (PFN), bamboo, coconut, rubber, oil palm, and wearable and homestyle (W&H). 

In addition, the ICE program is a mechanism for collaboration between and among government agencies, academic institutions, and value chain actors. One of the outcomes of this program is the formation or organization of the regional, provincial, and national cacao councils. These councils pave the way for the cacao industry stakeholders to actively participate in numerous relevant activities. 

DTI 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said that the cacao industry is one of the ICE program's target sectors, with the Davao Region recognized as the champion for cacao.  

“Together with the Department of Agriculture (DA), we move towards the reactivation of our Regional Cacao Council to development the industry further and promote inclusive growth among value chain players,” the trade official said.  

She added that the Davao Regional Cacao Industry Council, a private sector-led organization, was reorganized to increase private sector participation in developing government programs, activities, and initiatives that address the needs and requirements of the value chain actors.  

In the preceding years, the collaboration of the cacao stakeholders in the region resulted in the recognition of Davao City as the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines, and the Davao Region as the Cacao Capital of the Philippines, as stipulated in Republic Act No. 115471. Moreover, the region’s cacao farmers also garnered international recognitions for producing the best quality cacao beans. In fact, in the International Cocoa Awards (ICA) 2021, a prestigious international competition participated by 53 cacao-producing countries, two of the farmers from here took home the gold and silver awards.   

Meanwhile, the DTI 11, through its ICE program, spearheaded a Strategic Planning Workshop on May 12 to 13 in a bid to set a clearer direction for the council while carrying out initiatives and interventions for development of the local cacao industry. 

“We are glad that 53 representatives from government agencies, provincial cacao councils, cacao industry experts, producers, processors, and traders in the region contributed to the strategic plan. This was the first Strategic Planning Workshop of the council since its inception in 2015. And we are optimistic that this is just the start of the strong alliance,” Ambi shared. 

In the meantime, DTI 11 Assistant Regional Director Delia M. Ayano and the DTI National Coordinator for the Cacao Industry Cluster revealed that the Davao Regional Cacao Industry Development Council will be the primary coordinating mechanism for all Philippine government policies, programs, and initiatives in partnership with the private sector to develop the industry.   

“As envisioned in the Davao Cacao Industry Strategic Plan and in support of the Philippine Cacao Industry Roadmap, the council aspires to become a vibrant, sustainable, and globally competitive cacao industry. The goal of the Council is to produce 40,000 MT per annum of dried fermented cacao beans with a productivity level of  two kilograms per tree per year by the end of 2027,” noted Ayano. 

The vision, mission, goals, and strategies crafted by the council were sealed during the workshop through the signing of the pledge of commitment of its officers and members, signifying their commitment to the Council's endeavors.  

"Industry clustering requires the commitment and cooperation of government agencies, the private sector, and all the value chain players. Through the Council, we will continue strengthening our collaboration, ensuring harmonized and effective initiatives to benefit the stakeholders of the cacao industry," Ayano concluded. (PR/DTI XI)