In a significant boost for the local coffee industry, Japanese Consul General ONO Hirotaka has officially handed over a new warehouse and processing facility to farmers in Bansalan, Davao del Sur. The ceremony, held on January 14, 2026, marks the completion of a vital project funded by Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA).
A Grassroots Investment for Quality and Productivity
The project, titled “The Project for the Provision of Coffee Warehouse and Processing Machines in Bansalan,” was implemented by the Balutakay Coffee Farmers Association (BACOFA). It received a grant worth approximately PHP 3,547,876.50 under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme, which was approved in 2025.
This initiative is designed to directly address post-harvest challenges. The new infrastructure and equipment will enable farmers to improve bean quality, increase overall productivity, and strengthen the economic viability of coffee farming in the region. By providing a dedicated space for storage and modern processing, the project aims to reduce losses and add value to the local harvest.
Celebrating 70 Years of Partnership and Friendship
During the turnover ceremony, Consul General ONO emphasized that the project represents an investment in the hardworking farmers of Bansalan. He highlighted that it underscores Japan's enduring commitment to supporting grassroots development in the Philippines.
He also noted the perfect timing of the event, coinciding with the celebration of 70 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines. The anniversary, themed “Weaving the Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, Possibilities,” finds a concrete example in this collaborative effort to uplift a local agricultural community.
Sustaining a Strategic Partnership Through Development
As the top ODA donor to the Philippines, the Japanese Government launched the GGP program in the country in 1989. This scheme focuses on poverty reduction by empowering communities through grassroots projects. Japan believes that such collaborations not only address immediate development needs but also fortify the long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations.
The new facility in Bansalan stands as a tangible symbol of this partnership, promising a more sustainable and prosperous future for local coffee growers and contributing to the growth of the Philippine coffee industry.
