Batangas Honors Cacao, Coffee Industry Achievers
Governor Vilma Santos-Recto leads awarding ceremony as two-day regional congress concludes
Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto joins award recipients, agricultural stakeholders and partner agency representatives during the closing ceremony of the CALABARZON Cacao and Coffee Congress 2026 at the Batangas Province Events Center on 12 November.
BATANGAS CITY — Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto led the recognition of outstanding farmers, organizations, exhibitors and government partners during the closing ceremony of the CALABARZON Cacao and Coffee Congress 2026 on Thursday, 12 November.
The awarding ceremony, held at the Batangas Province Events Center in Barangay Bolbok, highlighted the contributions of individuals and organizations to the development of the cacao and coffee industries across the region.
Among the recognitions presented were the Major Exhibitors and Partner Agencies awards, Batangas Provincial Outstanding Farmer, Fisherfolk and Organization awards, and the Young Farmer Challenge award.
The ceremony also featured the CALABARZON Cacao Quality Awards (CCQA) and the Southern Luzon Coffee Quality Competition (SLCQC), recognizing excellence in the production and quality of locally grown cacao and coffee.
Batangas served as the host province for the two-day regional gathering, organized with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office IV-A and supported by cacao and coffee federations, agricultural stakeholders and partner institutions from Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.
The congress brought together farmers, entrepreneurs, industry representatives and government agencies to promote local agricultural products, share farming practices and strengthen market opportunities for producers.
Activities included product exhibitions, agricultural discussions, coffee brewing demonstrations and cacao grading sessions aimed at improving product quality and competitiveness.
The event also provided an opportunity for producers and business owners to establish connections and explore potential partnerships within the region's growing agricultural sector.
Organizers emphasized the importance of cooperation among government agencies, industry groups and farming communities in sustaining the development of the cacao and coffee industries.
The recognition ceremony marked the conclusion of the two-day congress, underscoring continuing efforts to support farmers, improve agricultural productivity and promote locally produced cacao and coffee in CALABARZON.