The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), officers led by President Edward Du and Executive Director John Jalandoni, participated in the three-day Negros Oriental Cacao Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) workshop, a key initiative under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) I-PLAN Program. The event, held at Dumaguete Royal Suites Inn, focused on developing the cacao industry roadmap in Negros Oriental.
The workshop brought together 35 cacao farmers from various towns including Ayungon, Bais City, Dauin, Jimalalud, Mabinay, Santa Catalina, and Valencia. It also featured leading local cacao processors and private agribusiness entrepreneurs (PAEs), such as Bais City Vice Mayor Mercy Teves Goñi of Chocolate de Mercedes, Engr. Wilfredo Algopera of Fred’s Dark Chocolate and Tablea, and Ms. Angel Angel Delgado and Jomer Delgado of ChocoTab.
Key experts in the cacao industry, including Philippine Cacao King Val Turtur and Engr. Edwin Banquerigo, former DTI Regional Director of Davao and DTI National Cacao Cluster Coordinator, also contributed to the workshop’s discussions.
The Cacao PCIP developed during the workshop will serve as a blueprint for attracting national and international funding sources, aiming to position Negros Oriental as a world-class producer of high-quality cacao products and chocolate bars. This initiative marks a crucial step toward boosting the region’s economic development through the cacao industry.
NOCCI Advances Cacao Industry Strategy at Provincial Investment Workshop
The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), under the leadership of President Edward Du and Executive Director John Jalandoni, played a key role in the recent three-day Negros Oriental Cacao Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) workshop—an initiative that signals a transformative step forward for the province’s cacao industry.
Held at Dumaguete Royal Suites Inn, the workshop formed part of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) I-PLAN Program and was designed to shape a comprehensive roadmap to accelerate the growth of cacao production and processing in Negros Oriental. The event gathered 35 cacao farmers representing several municipalities and cities including Ayungon, Bais City, Dauin, Jimalalud, Mabinay, Santa Catalina, and Valencia.
Participants also included prominent private agribusiness entrepreneurs and local cacao processors. Among the most recognized were Bais City Vice Mayor Mercy Teves Goñi of Chocolate de Mercedes, Engr. Wilfredo Algopera of Fred’s Dark Chocolate and Tablea, and Angel and Jomer Delgado of ChocoTab—each bringing real-world insights from the cacao value chain.
The workshop benefited from the expertise of national cacao authorities, including the Philippine Cacao King Val Turtur and former DTI Regional Director and National Cacao Cluster Coordinator Engr. Edwin Banquerigo. Their perspectives added depth to the formulation of a strategic investment plan aimed at scaling up production, processing, and global market penetration.
The output of the three-day session was a finalized Cacao PCIP, which will serve as a working blueprint to attract funding from national government agencies and international donors. The goal: position Negros Oriental as a world-class producer of premium cacao products. This roadmap outlines strategic interventions across the value chain, from farm productivity and processing innovations to market access and policy support.
A pivotal moment of the event was the presentation of the draft roadmap to Negros Oriental Governor Chaco Sagarbarria. NOCCI, through Executive Director and PRDP Focal Person John Jalandoni, and President Du, joined cacao farmers, processors, and the Provincial Project Management and Implementation Unit (PPMIU) in delivering the proposed plan. Their collaboration reflects a strong public-private alliance working toward a shared vision for agricultural advancement.
Governor Sagarbarria expressed optimism for the industry’s prospects, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to turning Negros Oriental into a recognized hub for cacao excellence. He praised the industry’s stakeholders for their diligence and foresight in crafting an actionable and ambitious development agenda.
The second day of the workshop was marked by in-depth presentations and a critique session that brought out strong participation from all sectors. Farmer groups, processors, and the enabling policy team each laid out their perspectives, helping sharpen the final outputs of the roadmap. The session showcased confidence in the region’s capability to produce high-quality cacao fit for both domestic and international markets.
Feedback from industry veterans like Turtur and Banquerigo reinforced that Negros Oriental has the climatic conditions, entrepreneurial spirit, and strategic positioning necessary to become a top-tier cacao player in the Philippines.
Jalandoni highlighted that the roadmap is anchored in the collective vision of building “a sustainable cacao industry driven by highly productive farms producing quality beans transformed into world-class value-added products.” This vision, he said, is already being supported by business, policy, and farming communities.
“NOCCI is fully committed to helping transform this vision into reality. We’re proud to work alongside our partners in government, farming, and industry,” Jalandoni added. “With this roadmap, we are not only growing an industry—we’re building futures.”
The strategic plan identifies priority actions, including strengthening farmer organizations, introducing climate-resilient farming practices, enhancing post-harvest facilities, and promoting cacao as a viable investment to both domestic and international markets.
As Negros Oriental moves forward with the implementation of the PCIP, NOCCI’s involvement ensures that the cacao industry benefits from a business-minded, innovation-driven approach. It is an example of how regional chambers can play a transformative role in sector-specific development.
With its firm roots now planted in a strategic and collaborative roadmap, Negros Oriental’s cacao sector is poised for a new era of growth. Through partnerships and focused investment, the province is preparing to not only meet the growing demand for cacao, but to lead the charge in elevating Philippine chocolate to the world stage.
NOCCI’s sustained efforts exemplify how aligned action across stakeholders can produce tangible, scalable results—underscoring the chamber’s role as a vital enabler in Negros Oriental’s economic future, driven by the resilient and rewarding cacao industry.
