SAGADA — The local government of Sagada has announced its commitment to assist coffee farmers who suffered losses due to forest fires in February and March. This assurance was given amidst efforts to collaborate with several agencies to mitigate the impact on the local agriculture sector.
According to Philippines News Agency, during the 17th Mountain Province Lang-ay Festival, the exact number of coffee trees destroyed has not been tallied, but the financial toll has been estimated at PHP16 million, affecting over 30 coffee producers. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has already distributed PHP5,000 to each affected farmer as immediate relief. However, acknowledging the insufficiency of this amount, Mayor Dula revealed ongoing negotiations with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to secure additional funds under the TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) emergency employment program. Initially, DOLE contributed PHP1 million in aid, but this did not directly target the coffee farmers.
Efforts have also been made to engage the Department of Agriculture for financial support and technical assistance in assessing which coffee plants could be saved. Moreover, Mayor Dula committed to exploring further avenues of support, including the provision of planting materials to enable the farmers to recover from their losses. Sagada coffee, particularly the Sagada Gold brand which is patented by the local government, plays a significant role in the local economy, priced at PHP250 per 200 grams, and serves as a popular souvenir among tourists.