The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), along with several government and industry partners, recently hosted a successful event aimed at advancing the Bicol region’s cacao industry. Held from August 22 to 24, 2025, at the Summit Hotel and Robinson’s Mall in Naga City, the event marked the first-ever Bicol Cacao Congress and the fourth Cacao Festival. The congress, which attracted cacao experts, researchers, farmers, processors, and entrepreneurs, focused on “Advancing Cacao Innovation and Agribusiness for an Empowered and Resilient Industry.” It provided a crucial platform for learning, networking, and collaboration among all stakeholders.
CBSUA President Dr. Alberto N. Naperi expressed his appreciation to all the partner agencies for their support, emphasizing how their collaborative efforts directly benefit local cacao farmers. This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Ramona Isabel S. Ramirez, the event’s overall chair and CBSUA Vice President for Research and Innovation, who affirmed the university’s dedication to working with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and other agencies. She highlighted the goal of empowering farmers by helping them adopt new technologies to produce high-quality cacao products.
The event underscored the government’s strong commitment to the cacao sector. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. championed the Bicol region as a key player in the country’s cacao industry. He noted that Bicol’s unique climate and soil are ideal for cacao cultivation and highlighted the national goal of boosting output and establishing the region as a reliable source of premium beans and specialty chocolate. Secretary Laurel also praised the region’s progress, pointing out the growing recognition of its high-quality beans, particularly with Alea Chocolates being recognized as the region’s Key Cacao Processor by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry.
Further support for the initiative came from several prominent officials, including Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Bicol Center Director Elsa A. Parot, Naga City Mayor Maria Leonor G. Robredo, Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte, Jr., Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Dindo G. Nabol, and Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC) Chairperson Claudia Esmeralda C. Honrado.
Running alongside the congress was the DA-Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Exposition (DA-ASPIRE), a trade fair that featured regional produce and products from Bicolano farmers across the region, further highlighting the rich agricultural landscape of Bicol. | 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘖𝘝𝘗𝘙𝘐 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘮
