BOOTH displaying Malagos chocolates in a Davao exhibit. GERMELINA LACORTE
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has declared his hometown Davao City as the chocolate capital of the Philippines with the entire Davao Region as the cacao capital of the country.
Duterte made the declaration as he signed Republic Act No. 11547 on Thursday.
The law recognizes the importance of cacao as a driver of rural development that can increase the country’s export earnings, put the Philippines on the map for producing the finest cocoa beans, and for providing livelihood to small farmers in the countryside.
It also took note of Davao’s contribution in making the Philippines world-renowned and sought-after by chocolate makers from the United States, Japan, and Europe.
Senator Cynthia Villar, who sponsored the measure at the Senate, said 78.76 percent of the Philippines’ annual cacao production comes from the Davao Region.
Davao is home to Malagos Chocolate that has won numerous international awards.