IN A bid to further boost its local tourism industry, the Municipal Government of La Castellana is working on improving the town's coffee sector through one, having its own brand and traceability of the product.
Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said the town currently has over 30 cafès, mostly highland, and five resorts that are being visited especially by local tourists.
Nicor-Mangilimutan said these tourism destinations are serving native coffees grown in the locality such as those in Barangays Sag-ang and Bi-ak na Bato.
"Our target is for us to be able to produce a brand of coffee to be called as La Castellana Coffee by the end of 2021," she said, adding that "we aim to promote our coffee like the saba sticks which is now gaining huge demand in the market."
The mayor took pride that "when it comes to coffee, ours is something that really penetrates one's palate."
To further develop the town's coffee sector, they are planning to develop an industrial area that will cater to all coffee products produced in the locality.
Nicor-Mangilimutan said the municipal government will consolidate, process these coffee products, and make it one La Castellana brand.
"La Castellana in all aspect is very competitive," she said, adding that "we look forward to making our town one of the best tourist destinations in the province and even in the Philippines."
The local government has been banking on tourism development to further boost the economy of the southern Negros Occidental town.
It is believed that cafès sprouting and thriving bring livelihood and employment to the residents.
Nicor-Mangilimutan said, "Imagine how many jobs these establishments can generate if they each employ at least 10 people."
She said the local government has been pouring much support to local producers and entrepreneurs especially in starting their own enterprises and promoting them to the public.
Nicor-Mangilimutan said she is involved in the conceptualization of the business and promotion.
"I am sharing with them my knowledge on entrepreneurship. I am very hands-on when it comes to mentoring them," she said
Stressing the value of financial management, the mayor said there are no unsuccessful businesses if they just know how to utilize and manage their finances.
"These tourism establishments should have the mindset that it is not just about gaining. It is also about prioritizing their consumers," she added.