New Coffee Processing Facility Opens to Support Local Agriculture

According to the Provincial Government of La Union, the Baguionas Farmers and Coffee Growers Association (BFCGA) officially received a new coffee processing facility in Barangay Libbo, Bagulin, on September 4, 2025. The 78-square-meter center allows farmers to roast, grind, and package coffee beans locally, eliminating the need to transport raw harvests to distant towns.

The project was funded with P2.9 million under Republic Act 7171, a law originally intended to support tobacco farmers. Construction began in November 2024 and concluded in May 2025. The facility is designed to serve the association’s 33 members, who manage over 30,000 coffee trees across 30.55 hectares of land in the highlands of La Union.

Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega led the turnover ceremony, stating that the facility aims to improve the competitiveness of the local coffee industry. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) La Union noted that the center will assist farmers in transitioning from selling raw beans to creating finished, branded products for wider markets, including potential distribution to cafés in areas like San Juan.

Association president Lapicto Bugtong stated that the facility provides essential support for the livelihood of the members, many of whom belong to Indigenous Peoples communities. The DTI expects the center to help farmers increase their earnings by moving up the production chain. While the industry faces challenges such as climate change and market competition, the provincial government intends for this hub to serve as a foundation for long-term agricultural growth in the region.

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SOURCE: PIA