MAKATI CITY – A partnership is set to strengthen the future of coffee farming in the uplands of Bukidnon, bringing improved marketing opportunities and enterprise support to hundreds of smallholder farmers, many of whom belong to Indigenous Peoples communities.
On June 9, 2026, the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), Angelo King Foundation, Inc. (AKFI), and Kauyagan Savers Multipurpose Cooperative (KSMPC) signed a memorandum of agreement for the construction of a Php 3-million coffee warehouse facility in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.
More than just a building, the warehouse represents a critical investment in the local coffee value chain. Once completed, it will serve around 200 smallholder coffee farmers by providing facilities for post-harvest handling and storage, essential services that can improve product quality, reduce losses, and strengthen market access.
The initiative forms part of the continuing partnership between AKFI and PEF to develop strategic infrastructure that enables agricultural social enterprises in PEF focus areas to grow, compete, and create greater impact in rural communities.
AKFI committed a grant of Php 2.5 million for the project, while KSMPC will provide Php 500,000 counterpart contribution. PEF will provide capacity building, project development assistance, additional working capital, and monitoring and evaluation services to help ensure the project’s long-term success.
The investment comes at a crucial time for Bukidnon’s growing coffee industry. Kauyagan is among the coffee hubs identified by the provincial government’s coffee roadmap, which aims to consolidate coffee production and reach approximately 120 metric tons by 2030.
Founded in 2004 by 27 pioneering members, KSMPC has evolved into a women-led social enterprise cooperative recognized for empowering Indigenous Peoples and women farmers through savings mobilization, credit services, and inclusive agribusiness ventures. The new
warehouse is expected to strengthen the cooperative’s ability to aggregate, process, and market coffee while creating more value for farming communities.
During the signing ceremony, AKFI president Teddy Kingsu formally handed over the first tranche of funding amounting to ₱1.25 million to incoming PEF executive director Cauchie Garcia. Also present were AKFI chair Ernesto Garilao, AKFI board member Basilio King, outgoing PEF executive director Roberto Calingo, KSMPC chair Paul Paraguya, PEF area manager Nikki Along, and PEF senior program officer Laurinette Gonzalez.
By combining philanthropic investment, enterprise development support, and community leadership, the partnership demonstrates how collaboration creates more resilient rural economies, enabling coffee farmers not only to produce quality coffee but also to participate meaningfully in the opportunities generated along the value chain.
