On the Proposal to Create a Special Committee on the Coffee Industry

Mr. Presiding Officer, Honorable Members of this august body, and most especially to the Honorable Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture Vinnette Alcala, magandang umaga.

I rise today on a matter of privilege not only close to my heart, but essential to the economic, environmental, and cultural soul of our beloved province of Quezon, deeply rooted in the aspirations of our farmers, youth agripreneurs, and coffee-growing communities across the province of Quezon.

Our province has long been known for its coconut industry. But alongside this legacy crop is another commodity that is beginning to stir both local and international interest coffee. From the misty mountains of Mauban, Sampaloc, Dolores, Sariaya and Lucban, to the fertile slopes of Infanta, Real, Tiaong, Candelaria, Guinayangan and some towns of Bondoc Peninsula, we are witnessing a quiet but significant revival of coffee cultivation — led by farmers who are resilient, resourceful, and ready for support.

A Call for Strategic Focus

Madam Chairperson, I respectfully address this to your good office as the lead of our Committee on Agriculture. While the coffee industry naturally falls within your jurisdiction, I believe we are now at a pivotal point where this sector merits dedicated legislative attention through the creation of a Special Committee on the Coffee Industry.

This proposed special committee will work in coordination with your office, in pursuit of deeper exploration, policy support, and sectoral alignment. It is envisioned to:

• Conduct targeted consultations and sectoral hearings with coffee farmers, processors, roasters and cooperatives;

Help craft local ordinances that reflect the goals of the Philippine

Coffee Industry Roadmap Bill sponsored by Cong. Mike Tan.

Monitor and align LGU programs with national and regional coffee development plans;

• Promote programs on specialty coffee, youth engagement, sustainable

farming, and value chain integration;

Creation of Quezon Coffee Council,

• And serve as a focused policy hub where coffee-related concerns are

elevated and addressed in a timely manner.

Why Coffee Deserves a Dedicated Platform?

Coffee is not just another crop. It is a value chain, a culture, and for many communities in Quezon – a path to inclusive rural development. Our province is blessed with suitable elevation, climate, and soil for high-quality Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa and even native Liberica beans. Some Quezon-grown coffees are already being served in Manila’s specialty cafés – proof that we are ready for the big stage.

But we cannot scale this opportunity without institutional support. Let us not wait until Quezon is left behind by other provinces who are now investing in coffee innovation and promotion.

A Legislative Milestone

Through the creation of this special committee leadership as Chair of the Agriculture Committee – we can ensure that our policy support for coffee is not diluted among many competing concerns, but given the strategic importance and attention it now demands.

I respectfully urge this body, through your guidance, Madam Chairperson, to consider and endorse the formation of the Special Committee on the Coffee Industry, and begin a new chapter in Quezon’s agricultural transformation.

Let us give our coffee growers not just hope – but a strong, institutional ally in this Sanggunian.

Maraming salamat po, at nawa’y maging mabunga ang ating mga hakbang para sa kapakanan ng ating mga magsasaka.