“Coffee is more than just a business, it’s a vehicle for change,” says Vicente M. Toring, General Manager of Sultan Kudarat Coffee Ventures, Inc. (SKCVI), better known by its brand name Kape Dulangan.

Founded in 2013, SKCVI began as a marketing arm of Tri-People Concern for Peace Progress and Development of Mindanao (TRICOM), Inc., a non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting the rights of the tri-people – the indigenous peoples, the Bangsamoro people, and settlers – while promoting peace and development in Mindanao.

Located in Barangay Malegdeg, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat, Kape Dulangan saw the need for self-reliance when TRICOM programs proved unsustainable without external support. With donations from an interchurch organization, Kape Dulangan built its initial working capital and began operating as micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME).

Kape Dulangan offers premium roasted beans for coffee shops, restaurants, and businesses seeking consistent flavor, as well as ground coffee for customers who prefer ready-to-brew convenience—ideal for homes, offices, and small cafés. Beyond products, SKCVI provides roasting services for farmers with green beans and grinding services for businesses with their own roasted beans.

But Kape Dulangan’s mission goes beyond coffee. A portion of its income funds community advocacies such as annual school supply distribution to indigenous day care centers, quarterly rice assistance, and scholarship programs. Employees also benefit directly, receiving fair wages, free rice during lunch, and educational support for one family member per worker.

The journey was far from easy. Limited capital hindered growth, and reaching indigenous farmers in remote areas posed logistical challenges. Yet SKCVI remained driven by its vision of empowering communities through coffee.

A breakthrough came when Kape Dulangan joined productivity trainings under the RTWPB-XII.

“Pagbalik pa lang namin sa opisina, binago na namin ang sistema sa salaries and wages,” Toring recalled, referring to lessons from the Usapang 2Ps, ISTIV, and 7S of Good Housekeeping trainings. They even reclassified their business to comply with proper wage standards.

These programs transformed SKCVI’s operations. Employees adopted proper systems and organization, boosting productivity. Products and services became more consistent and of higher quality, expanding the company’s market reach.

Efficiency improved across the board—from workplace organization to production processes—resulting in smoother workflows and faster outcomes.

In 2023, the SKCVI became a national finalist in the Productivity Olympics—a historic first for Sultan Kudarat. This year, they also became as one of the national finalists for the agribusiness sector – small category.

Two years later, SKCVI joined the 2025 Productivity Olympics and received a Gawad Inklusibo special citation which acknowledges enterprises that have shown notable leadership and innovation in promoting gender equality and social inclusion. It also received a grant from DOLE’s Adjustment Measures Program.

“Malaking bagay ito sa amin. Sa halip na kami ang gumastos para sa renovation, si DOLE na ang tumulong,” says Mr. Toring.

The impact of Kape Dulangan ripples across communities from scholarship programs for staff and indigenous students to price incentives that uplift Dulangan Manobo coffee farmers.

Currently, Kape Dulangan plans to include unifying local coffee initiatives and building a self-sustaining cooperative network in the municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino. ‘Pag Produktibo, Aasenso!