Tabuk City, Kalinga – The Barangay Bagumbayan in Tabuk City, Kalinga, has successfully transitioned from traditional agriculture to agri-tourism, reaping both economic and social benefits through its Bagumbayan Coffee Village project.
The community’s venture into coffee production began in early 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, when movement restrictions were not as stringent in the area as in the National Capital Region. Local residents were employed in coffee processing, and the finished products were sold to various commercial establishments. Prior to this initiative, villagers would sell raw coffee beans outside of Tabuk City for PHP100 or PHP200 per tin can size.
According to Philippines News Agency, a council member of Barangay Bagumbayan, the community has evolved its coffee business to include growing, processing, packaging, and selling coffee at premium prices. This shift was acknowledged when the community was awarded Best Cordillera Tourism Village by the Department of Tourism (DOT) at Camp John Hay. Barangay Bagumbayan received PHP1 million from the award, which they plan to use for improving facilities to attract more tourists.
Mangliwan highlighted the project’s impact, stating that coffee shrubs in the area, some as old as 20 years, have become significant income generators once again. The transition to agri-tourism has not only proven economically productive but has also fostered stronger community bonds and social cohesion.
The community has received various forms of support, including technical assistance from the DOT aligned with United Nations world tourism standards, seminars and training on organic coffee production from the Department of Agriculture, and a coffee processing building and materials from the Department of Science and Technology.
Tabuk serves as a gateway for tourists visiting the world-renowned tattoo artist Apo Whang-od in Buscalan, Tinglayan. Jovita Ganongan, DOT-Cordillera director, explained that the competition aims to enhance tourism facilities and services and encourage environment-friendly and community-participatory tourism programs, particularly involving Indigenous Peoples.
From an initial pool of 20 applicants, six finalists were chosen based on criteria like sustainable management, socio-economic and rural development sustainability, cultural sensitivity, and environmental sustainability. The other finalists included Bila Tourism Village in Bauko, Mountain Province, which won second place and PHP500,000; Balbalasang Eco Village in Kalinga, awarded PHP200,000; and runners-up Chaya Heritage Village in Mayaoyao, Ifugao, Nagacadan Open Air Museum in Kiangan, Ifugao, and Tawang Tourism Village in Balbalan, Kalinga, each receiving PHP100,000.
