Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

SUCCESS STORIES

TubengCoGa and the Arabica Coffee Processing System
by VBCaliguiran (January 15, 2015)
The Tuba Benguet Coffee Growers Association of Tuba, Benguet is creating a distinct aroma among coffee traders and coffeeholics in Baguio City. According to Ms. Shirley Palao-ay, TubengCoGa president, shifting from their old-style to a modern processing system is their key to their success.

Through a partnership with PHilMech in the project ‘Supply Chain Improvement of Arabica Coffee in the Cordillera Region’, TuBengCoGa adopted new coffee processing techniques which improve and preserve the quality of their produce. The PHilMech also provided them processing equipment such as coffee pulpers and rubber-roll huller .

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture -Regional Field Office- CAR gave them moisture meter to monitor the quality of their beans. The Department of Trade and Industry also assisted them in their packaging , giving them as well additional units of pulpers.
According to Ms. Shirley, the Association can now buy the produce of its members in a much competitive price. TuBengCoga sells both green coffee beans and roasted coffee under the brand SiJopKapi.

“Ngayon na alam na namin ang mas magandang proseso, matitikman mo na talaga na maganda ang quality ng aming kape, hindi na sour, maganda na ang lasa at mabango pa,” Shirley proudly shared.