A MEMORANDUM of agreement is being finalized by the municipality of Kibungan, Benguet for the exportation of the Arabica coffee.

Kibungan Mayor Benito Siadto said the pact will formalize the partnership between the Rocky Mountain Company and Kibungan. The company will lend money to coffee farmers which will be used to raising coffee.

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Siadto said seven barangays in the municipality have coffee farms. Almost 80 percent of all the coffee growers will benefit from the agreement.

The company will bankroll the expenses in growing Arabica and the payment for these expenses will be deducted from the total revenue of the farmers.

Moreover, the firm is asking the municipality for a 20 hectare land which it will rent. Siadto said this request of Rocky Mountain was not approved because of lack of space.

According to Siadto, there are currently 2,700 coffee trees planted in 20 hectares in the municipality. He said every farmer is holding from a quarter to one hectare each.

Arabica coffee from the MOA will be exported and will be sold according to these prices per kilo: Class A- 160, Class B- 140, Class C- 120. The Rocky Mountain will also take care of the quality control inspection.

He added the company will market the Benguet grown coffee under the brand Kibungan Pure Arabica Coffee.

The town is likewise negotiating with foreign companies regarding the development of a mini hydro power plant. They are currently talking with the Korean company K Water for the project.

Siadto is confident these programs will help alleviate poverty in the municipality. “These will uplift economy standards and develop the tourism industry.”