CLARK FREEPORT— Twenty-five cacao farmers from communities near this Freeport recently completed the Clark Development Corporation’s (CDC) livelihood workshop on cacao processing and packaging at the Clark Skills and Training Center.
Fifteen farmers physically attended the said event while ten others from the Municipality of Bamban, Tarlac joined virtually. The said activity was organized by CDC-Corporate Social Responsibility and Placement Division (CSRPD).
JCG Marketing Group Inc. Technical Sales Representative and Godel Chocolate Trainor Al Quin Santillan with Cacao farmer and Trainor Angelito Manuel facilitated the workshop for the attendees.
Meanwhile, Malagos Agri-ventures Corporation cacao farmer and chocolate maker Rex Victor Puentespina served as a guest speaker and shared his knowledge and expertise on cacao production.
During the event, CDC Chief-of-Staff for the Office of the President Dennis C. Legaspi conveyed CDC President and CEO Manuel R. Gaerlan’s message to the participants.
“This training, for example, is an integral part of an overall chocolate master plan which is seen to bring benefits to small farmers by giving them the opportunity to participate in Clark’s economic activities,” he said.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 3 Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Chief Fernando Lorenzo, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Aurora OIC Provincial Director Aldrin Veneracion, and Department of Agriculture (DA) Technical Staff for High-Value Commercial Crops Development Program Rosalee Leander, representatives from Local Government Units (LGUs), and other government agencies joined virtually to witness the event.
Recently, a total of 1854 kilograms of dry cacao beans were produced in various areas of Bamban for the first quarter alone.
The Municipal Agriculture Office of Bamban, Tarlac expressed its heartfelt gratitude to CDC for its continuous support to their local farmers.