Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) President Edward Du and NOCCI Executive Director John Jalandoni took part in the Forum on the “End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) Program” initiated by the ELCAC-Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) in coordination with the Negros Oriental Provincial Peace and Order Council, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Negros Oriental, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Negros Oriental.

The said forum was intended to create an innovative e-commerce platform that will facilitate the seamless supply of high-value crops from ELCAC areas in Negros Oriental, such as Barangay Dobdob in Valencia and Barangay Talalak in Sta. Catalina, to hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses in the locality.

In a significant stride towards economic development and peace-building in Negros Oriental, NOCCI played instrumental roles in the Forum on the “End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) Program.” This forward-looking initiative, spearheaded by the ELCAC-Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) in collaboration with key stakeholders such as the Negros Oriental Provincial Peace and Order Council, DILG-Negros Oriental, and DTI-Negros Oriental, aimed at addressing challenges and fostering innovation.

The crux of the forum focused on the creation of an innovative e-commerce platform, set to revolutionize the supply chain of high-value crops from ELCAC areas in Negros Oriental, including Barangay Dobdob in Valencia and Barangay Talalak in Sta. Catalina. The overarching goal is to seamlessly connect agricultural producers with local hotels, restaurants, and hospitality businesses, catalyzing economic growth and empowerment.

Facilitating this groundbreaking initiative, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is establishing a digital platform that will directly link farmers to institutional buyers or consumers, eliminating middlemen and boosting farmers’ incomes. With an initial funding of P500,000 from the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), this e-commerce platform, managed by PRLEC, sets out to transform the agricultural landscape in conflict-affected areas.

The digital application, operated through Agro-Digital PH, will serve as the conduit for farmers in Dobdob and Talalak to market their produce directly to the Negros Oriental Resorts, Restaurants & Hotels Association (NORRHA) and the broader hospitality industry. This strategic partnership seeks to leverage technology, raising the bar for farmers’ earnings and productivity.

DTI Information Officer Krystle Jade Bato outlined the project’s scope, emphasizing its role in creating an e-commerce platform for high-value crops from ELCAC areas. Agro-Digital PH, a startup specializing in agri-commerce, will craft the online system, encompassing aspects from agricultural production to marketing.

NOCCI President Edward Du expressed the chamber’s commitment to supporting economic opportunities, noting the potential impact on local farmers and businesses. However, he underscored the importance of sustainability, emphasizing the need to address peace and order issues in conflict areas.

The initiative garnered positive responses from heads and representatives of different ELCAC clusters, foreseeing a boost in the income and livelihood of farmers in communist-affected barangays. This venture is also positioned as part of the Tamlang Valley Development Project, integral to the province’s economic agenda, expected to commence by December.

As NOCCI leads this charge for tech-driven agricultural commerce, the collaboration exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships in driving economic progress. By harnessing the potential of e-commerce, this initiative not only addresses immediate challenges but also aligns with broader goals of sustainable development, ushering in a new era of prosperity in Negros Oriental.