Have you ever come across “hugot chocolates“?
They’re essentially chocolates featuring “hugot lines” – those sentimental quips about heartbreak, love, work, and other relatable life situations. This concept has been a key ingredient in the success of a chocolate maker based in Davao, capturing the hearts and minds of young people.
Hugot chocolates (IMAGE CREDIT: https://hive.blog/)
Joycedel Macias, the product researcher at the Biao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (BARBCO) in Barangay Talandang, Tugbok District, Davao City, shared the insight behind this idea. “We thought about hugot lines because they’re popular, especially among the youth,” she explained.
A journey from humble beginnings
BARBCO’s journey from its humble beginnings to its current success is marked by collective effort, resilience, and fruitful partnerships.
Established in 1992 by former employees of the now-defunct Philippine Cocoa States Corporation (PCSC), BARBCO initially focused on the Lakatan banana industry. Over time, it transitioned into a prominent agriculture player, specializing in cocoa production, marketing, and chocolate manufacturing, with 41 regular members and 215 associate members.
BARBCO started producing tablea (cocoa blocks) in February this year and has recently started producing cacao beans. It is now also supplying raw materials to leading chocolate producers in the city and Manila, as well as to international cocoa processors.
The cooperative is also earning as much as PHP200,000 to PHP300,000 per month and now exports its products to China.
However, the road to success was not without its challenges.
General Manager Guadalupe Ocial acknowledges the significant opportunity presented by the 200 hectares of land awarded to them as Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), but it required considerable effort to establish a sustainable business. This is where the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) played a vital role, providing the necessary working capital.
Over time, BARBCO’s partnership with LANDBANK which was initiated for Lakatan banana production in 1992, evolved and enabled their successful entry into the cocoa value chain in 2016.
Partnership with LANDBANK
Photo shows Guadalupe Ocial, General Manager of BARBCO, who shared how the coop has grown into a prominent cacao industry player in the Davao region through a productive partnership with LANDBANK
General Manager Ocial emphasizes the importance of this partnership in streamlining the process of securing financial assistance whenever needed.
Through LANDBANK’s support, BARBCO gained recognition in 2018 as the producer of Chocolate de Biao or “hugot chocolates,” resonating particularly with the younger demographic.
Today, BARBCO’s operations extend beyond Davao City, covering Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, and Davao del Sur, consolidating and processing cacao beans into various chocolate products.
Beyond financial gains, BARBCO serves as a conduit of LANDBANK’s support to its farmer members, ensuring fair compensation for their produce. This commitment to uplifting local farmers has attracted attention from international food corporations, drawn by the promise of equitable pricing.
Even amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, BARBCO remained resilient, supported by LANDBANK. Through prudent management and steadfast support, they sustained their workforce and ensured fair compensation for employees during limited operations.
For General Manager Ocial, BARBCO’s success embodies a collective vision of empowerment, shared prosperity, and community upliftment. Looking ahead, she emphasizes the legacy that BARBCO aims to leave behind – a legacy rooted in collaboration and community upliftment.
As BARBCO continues to sow the seeds of success, its enduring partnership with LANDBANK stands as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration in fostering inclusive growth and prosperity in the agricultural landscape of Davao and beyond.