The Embassy welcomed a Philippine agricultural delegation that is visiting the Netherlands on a Business Link Program for a 2-week stay focusing on increasing productivity in the piggery industry and addressing and harnessing hog manure.
The delegates are scheduled to call on officials of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. They will attend seminars and visit farms and laboratories across the Netherlands to explore possible equipment and technologies which can be adapted to the Philippines.
The delegation is headed by Dr. Ruth S. Miclat-Sonaco, Center Director of the Agricultural Training Institute-International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ATI-ITCPH), with Hon. Rico B. Geron, Chief Executive Officer of the Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC) and Partylist Representative [Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines (AGAP)] in the 16th Philippine Congress.
Ambassador Malaya commended the conduct of the visit in view of the vibrancy and advanced state of Dutch agriculture. “Cooperation in agri-food is one of the priority areas in PH-NL cooperation as identified during the Bilateral Consultation Meeting in June 2021,” he said. “The presence of agriculture cooperatives gives added value to the mission as engagements with Dutch counterparts can take place on a peer-to-peer, farmer to farmer basis.”
The Business Link Program is a partnership between ATI-ITCPH, SIDC and Programma Uitzending Managers (PUM), a Dutch volunteer organization that offers support to small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries. PUM was established in 1978 by the Dutch employers association VNO-NCW, with the support of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dr. Miclat-Sonaco expressed the admiration of the delegation for Dutch agriculture technology, particularly for the hog industry, and is enthusiastic to adapt those which are suitable for the Philippine setting.
Congressman Geron welcomed the partnership with Dutch experts, which provides an opportunity for local cooperatives to leverage their knowledge and expertise in agribusiness.
Accompanying the delegation was Mr. Jo Voet and other officials of PUM.
The members of the delegation are composed of Ms. Florina M. Farma (ATI-ITCPH); Mr. Marcelino Capuno and Mr. Enrico Savadera Libuit (SIDC); Dr. Rene C. Santiago and Engr. Reymer G. Martinez (Bureau of Animal Industry); Mr. Pedrito Kalaw (United Batangas Swine Raisers Association); Ms. Eva L. Ilagan (Batangas State University - Lobo Campus); Dr. Yancy O. Waminal (Tarlac Agricultural University); Dr. Geoffray R. Atok (University of Southern Mindanao); and Dir. Rosana P. Mula (ATI).
Also present at the meeting were Consul General Lolita Capco, Consuls Jarie Osias and Marianne Bringas, Cultural Attaché Elea Perez, Trade Assistant Flor Almodiel-Luteijn, and Trade Attaché Magnolia Misolas-Ashley, who joined the meeting virtually from Brussels.
