BAKUN, Benguet — This highland municipality in Benguet province is well positioned to solidify its reputation as a major source of premium Philippine coffee as coffee farmers here scale up their production to meet the growing demand for high-grade Arabica coffee.

Bakun Municipal Agriculturist Enrique Atelba says that as coffee demand continues to surge across the Philippines, the highland municipality is brewing its way to becoming one of the country’s sources of high-grade Arabica coffee.

Recognized for its distinct quality and flavor, Benguet arabica coffee has cemented its reputation as a top-tier type, with Bakun poised to meet the market’s growing appetite for this high-value crop.

Hedcor, the renewable asset manager of AboitizPower, has provided 5,000 Arabica coffee wildlings and 500 cacao seedlings to boost the municipality’s thriving coffee and cacao industry.

This initiative is aimed at empowering coffee farmers to scale production, take advantage of the rising demand for their produce, and position Bakun as a key player in the coffee industry.

Unlocking Bakun’s potential

The unique terrain of Bakun, situated between 1,200 and 2,500 meters above sea level, offers ideal conditions for cultivating Arabica coffee.

This advantage, coupled with the support of partners like Hedcor, creates an opportunity for the community to thrive in the high-value coffee market.

"With the fast-rising popularity of the coffee brand in the market, driven by its distinct quality and flavor, the supply remains limited; that is why we are encouraging our farmers, with the strong support of our partners, to scale up production," said Bakun Municipal Agriculturist EnriqueAtelba.

Said Atelba, "Hedcor's provision of Arabica coffee wildlings and cacao seedlings builds on the municipality's agricultural strengths, allowing our community to reach its full potential as a producer of high-value crops, including coffee, cacao and fruit-bearing crops.”

Sustaining growth, promoting community impact

Hedcor actively supports Bakun’s agricultural development, recognizing the unique highland terrain as ideal for cultivating high-value crops by empowering the community to leverage its agricultural strengths.

This initiative not only enhances food security and promotes economic growth but also contributes to environmental sustainability.