MATAAS NA KAHOY, Batangas – In celebration of World Chocolate Day, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 4-A officially launched the Regional Technical Evaluation and Judging of the CALABARZON Cacao Quality Award (CCQA) 2026 on 7 July 2026 at Vin Vie Integrated Farm in Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas.
The opening program gathered key government officials, industry leaders, and cacao stakeholders committed to strengthening the region’s cacao industry. Among those who graced the event were Mataas na Kahoy Mayor Ellery Gardiola Silva, DTI Region 4-A Regional Director Marissa C. Argente, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Regional Governor Mary An Katigbak, PCCI Lipa President Tess Jumaran, representatives from the Rotary Club of the Philippines, and partners from the public and private sectors.
Now on its latest edition, the CCQA continues to recognize the region’s finest cacao beans and promote quality excellence among local producers. This year’s competition attracted 29 cacao bean entries from across CALABARZON, with 13 entries from Batangas, eight from Laguna, six from Quezon, and one entry each from Cavite and Rizal.
All entries will undergo a rigorous and impartial technical evaluation by the University of the Philippines Los Baños Institute of Food Science and Technology (UPLB-IFST) Evaluation Team, ensuring that only the highest-quality cacao beans will earn recognition.
The successful implementation of the CCQA 2026 is made possible through the strong collaboration among DTI Region 4-A, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 4-A, the Offices of the Provincial Agriculturist across CALABARZON, the Region 4-A Cacao Industry Federation, Inc., the UPLB Institute of Food Science and Technology, local government units, and various public and private sector partners dedicated to advancing the region’s cacao industry.
More than a competition, the CCQA serves as a platform to honor the dedication and hard work of CALABARZON cacao farmers and producers while encouraging continuous quality improvement and enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s cacao sector in both domestic and international markets.
As the world celebrates one of its most beloved treats, DTI Region 4-A underscores that exceptional chocolate begins with exceptional cacao—and with the hardworking farmers and producers whose commitment to quality continues to elevate CALABARZON as a growing center of cacao excellence. From quality cacao to exceptional chocolate, CALABARZON continues to grow toward excellence.
