Governor Bong Lacson was in for a sweet treat during the Chocolate Tasting held at Italia Restaurant in Bacolod City with Chloe Doutre Roussel from France on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
The event explored the possibilities for Negros Occidental to become a Cacao chocolate producer or exporter.
Various types of chocolate were sampled which include mass market, industrial, organic, and the more expensive bean-to-bar craft chocolate.
The event was made possible through CY & Sons Group represented by Manolito Lopez, Matthew Lopez, and Ricardo Dominic Lopez. The group has a Cacao Farm in Dos Hermanas, Talisay City which is a 60-hectare privately owned farm.
Also present during the chocolate tasting were Steven Devries, a private cacao consultant from Colorado, USA, Atty. Julie Ann Bedrio of the Provincial Environment Management Office, Dr. Edmundo Raul Causing of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, and Denise Angela Jose of the Technology & Livelihood Development Center.
Both PEMO and OPA are currently implementing cacao growing programs for their project beneficiaries comprising farmers and upland communities in the province.
