TONGONAN, LEYTE, PHILIPPINES — Elevating Local Beans to Specialty Standards A total of 24 coffee farmers from the Tongonan Farmers Association (TOFA) and surrounding Leyte communities came together on August 6–7, 2026, for an intensive, hands-on masterclass in coffee grading, roasting, and cupping. Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Leyte in partnership with geothermal leader Energy Development Corporation (EDC) – Leyte, the two-day training aimed to boost the quality and market value of locally grown coffee beans.
Expert-Led Hands-On Training Industry leaders traveled to Tongonan to guide the local growers through every step of the specialty coffee pipeline:
Practical Guidance: Experts Eli Natividad and Florence Matienzo of Farm to Cup Philippines led hands-on exercises in roasting techniques, sensory cupping, and bean grading.
Industry Insights: Dominique Ott and Doreen Ott of Notes Roastery shared real-world market requirements, helping farmers align their harvest with commercial quality standards.
Direct Market Access: Farmers gained rare, direct interaction with roasters and buyers, opening doors to lucrative market opportunities beyond conventional supply chains.
Empowering Leyte's Local Agricultural Sector Under the direction of DTI Leyte Provincial Director Dr. Faustino V. Gayas, Jr., DMT, the initiative reflects a ongoing commitment to building capacity, boosting productivity, and scaling local agricultural enterprises across Eastern Visayas. By transforming raw beans into high-grade specialty coffee, Tongonan's local growers are poised to claim a larger share of the thriving Philippine coffee movement.
