Published June 15, 2024 by Jenerwin M. Columna
Lal-lo, Cagayan – In a sustained effort to advance the local coffee industry and tourism in Northern Philippines, officials from Cagayan State University (CSU) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Lal-lo gathered at CSU Lal-lo on June 15, Saturday, to break ground for the construction of the Valena View Deck and the CSU Coffee Hub.
Marking the commencement of the construction of the two infrastructure projects, the ceremonial event was led by Engr. Arthur G. Ibanez, the Officer-In-Charge (OIC) President of CSU, along with Hon. Mayor Florante C. Pascual and Hon. Vice Mayor Ma. Olivia Pascual.
๐๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ง๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐บ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ฟ๐
The Valena View Deck is set to become a prime tourist attraction, offering panoramic views of the lush landscapes of the hectares-wide Valena Coffee Plantation of CSU Lal-lo Campus.
This project aims to draw both local and international tourists, providing them with a scenic vantage point, bolstering local coffee tourism with CSU Lal-lo at the forefront.
Meanwhile, the CSU Coffee Hub will serve as a pillar of the university's initiative to position itself as the leading authority on coffee in Northern Philippines. The construction of the Coffee Hub is a key component of the 5 million research grant aimed at bolstering the coffee industry in CSU Lal-lo campus which will not only focus on improving coffee production but also on establishing a sustained coffee research culture and training center that will support local farmers and entrepreneurs.
๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐
Following the groundbreaking, the officials signed five memoranda of agreement (MOAs) to formalize their collaboration on the coffee program. These agreements outline the implementation of various projects under the grant-all designed to strengthen the local coffee sector and empower communities.
The groundbreaking ceremony was also attended by stakeholders from the adopted communities of Barangay Logac and Magapit National High School.
With the Valena View Deck and the CSU Coffee Hub, Lal-lo is set to become a hub of both tourism and agricultural excellence. The projects not only aim to attract visitors but also to create a sustainable economic impact by fostering local enterprise and academic research.