Nueva Vizcaya – The key players of the coffee industry in Nueva Vizcaya will take center stage with the celebration of the First Coffee Festival at the provincial capitol in Bayombong town this week.
Marichelle Costales, provincial tourism and culture officer and director-general of the Grand ‘Ammungan’ Festival, said the activity will feature participation from coffee producers across the province.
“This event will provide our coffee industry stakeholders with a platform to promote their products to visitors and, hopefully, attract a larger consumer base both nationally and internationally,” she said.
Costales explained that the 1st Coffee Festival, to be held at the Carlos Padilla Convention Center in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, is part of the week-long festivities celebrating Nueva Vizcaya’s 16th Grand ‘Ammungan’ (gathering) Festival, which marks the province’s founding anniversary.
“Visitors will also have the opportunity to taste various coffee blends and discover the unique flavors of the province’s coffee products,” she said.
In addition to the coffee festival, the event will feature an art competition, a ‘Kapetirya,’ and an art display, among other activities.
She also said the festival will include a marketplace showcasing local coffee products, as well as talks and workshops led by coffee farmers and coffee shop owners, offering valuable insights into the art and business of coffee production.
With strong support from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Labor and Employment, Cistales stated that Nueva Vizcaya has become a significant coffee producer in the Cagayan Valley region.
“Municipalities such as Ambaguio, Kasibu, Kayapa, Sta. Fe and Alfonso Castañeda are known for their high-quality coffee, contributing to the growing popularity of coffee culture in the province,” she added.
She also said that the increasing number of coffee shops in the area reflects the local community’s passion for coffee and its potential as a key economic driver for Nueva Vizcaya.
PIA PHOTO
