Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Monday announced that he filed a measure seeking to revive the country’s struggling coffee industry through a nationwide development program.
The proposed Senate Bill 1556 would create a Philippine Coffee Board to oversee long-term sector growth, as it sets a national goal of transforming the country into a competitive producer and eventual net exporter by 2035.
According to Lacson, the Philippines was once a major global coffee exporter before the industry collapsed and became dependent on imports for most domestic consumption.
A new Philippine Coffee Board under the Department of Agriculture (DA) will be created to assume the functions of the existing private sector-led body established in 2002, while a national replanting and rehabilitation program will pursue expansion across 250,000 hectares over 10 years.
A farmer subsidy package will provide fertilizer support, minimum price guarantees, and transport assistance for remote upland communities.
An initial allocation of 15 billion pesos annually will fund the measure for its first five years, with priority spending directed to production support, research, infrastructure, marketing, institutional development, and emergency assistance.
“The Philippines can steadily work toward regaining its place in the global coffee sector, while building an industry that is more responsive and productive; one that focuses on increasing yields, improving farmer incomes, strengthening technical skills, widening market opportunities, and ensuring long-term stability,” Lacson concluded.
