06/12/2025
☕️🤎
DICANG SEEKS STRICTER RULES FOR COFFEE PRODUCTS
Councilor Van Dicang has proposed an ordinance requiring all coffee processors and traders in Baguio City to disclose the true source, production date, variety, and blend composition of their products to protect consumers, uphold integrity of local coffee, and ensure fair and transparent trade practices.
The ordinance aims to institutionalize a local system that strengthens consumer protection and to support the growth, credibility, and competitiveness of Baguio’s coffee industry.
Under the proposed measure, all coffee products sold, processed, or traded in the city, whether locally produced or imported, must carry clear and truthful labels indicating the source of the beans, their production or roasting date, the coffee variety, and, for blends, the exact percentage of each component used. Labels must be visible, readable, and printed in both English and Filipino, with blend percentages placed directly beside the product name.
Coffee processors and traders will be mandated to submit product samples and labeling proofs to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or an authorized regulatory body for verification. Products found to be misbranded or non-compliant will be subject to penalties under the Consumer Act and related DTI regulations.
A Technical Working Group (TWG) will be created to monitor, inspect, and regulate compliance in the city’s coffee trade. Chaired by the City Mayor and co-chaired by the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO), the TWG is tasked to validate label claims, maintain documentation of violations, and issue clearances necessary for business permit processing. The TWG will likewise spearhead the promotion of proper labeling practices and ensure continuous improvements in product quality standards.
The proposed measure aligns with existing national guidelines including DTI’s Department Administrative Order No. 15-01 which requires full disclosure of a product’s origin, manufacturing details, and composition.
The proposed ordinance was approved on first reading by the Baguio City Council on November 1, 2025 and was referred to the Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Agriculture for review. -Jordan G. Habbiling