Creation of national cacao body pushed

CACAO industry players are pushing for the establishment of a national cacao board that will guide, assist and monitor the industry.

Charita P. Puentespina, managing director of Malagos Agri-Ventures Corp., said during the Kapihan Session of the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) Wednesday at Hotel Vicente in Davao City that there is a need to establish the board soon due to the increasing number of investors wanting to enter the cacao industry.

"There should be a body that will help and guide new players (in the industry)," she said.

Puentespina said the board can provide guidance to new players on the way to start a cacao business, information on the situation of the cacao industry, and where else they can get assistance.

Chocolate de San Isidro marketing director Dante R. Muyco Jr., for his part, said Davao Region and the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao Inc. (Cidami) is "willing to spearhead" the national cacao board. 

He also said they will be looking into other national boards, like the Philippine Coffee Board, as a basis of the cacao board's model.

Pancita U. Juan, PEF board of trustees treasurer and co-author of Cacao: Bean to Bar, suggested that, if there will be a cacao board, there should also be an alignment in the promotions of the industry.

"What is needed in the cacao board is a promotions plan...because is is the only way to be recognized by everyone," Juan said, adding that cacao industry players in Mindanao should spearhead the promotions plan since around 80 percent of cacao is being produced here.

Department of Agriculture regional director Remelyn R. Recoter said having a board is one way of realingning the functions of both the private and government sector want to earn easy cash in exchange of their dignity and comprise others.