DFA Organizes Familiarization Trip of Ambassadors to Isabela
Twenty-three diplomats, their respective spouses, and DFA officials visit the Province of Isabela for a familiarization tour on 24 to 26 January 2025. (Photo credits to DFA-OPD Maria Vanessa Ubac)
MANILA 27 January 2025 – The DFA-Office of Public Diplomacy in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Isabela successfully organized a familiarization tour of Isabela on 24-26 January 2025.
Thirty-eight (38) diplomats and their respective spouses from 24 embassies in Manila joined DFA officials in exploring the numerous tourism, trade and investment possibilities in the province. In addition to attending a trade and investment forum, the participants also had close interaction with various business entities and local government officials in the province.
The highlight of the tour was their participation in the Bambanti Festival, Isabela’s most famous celebration held every January. They visited the different booths that featured the province’s different agricultural products and witnessed the festival’s grand parade where cultural groups from various towns and cities in the province took part.
The familiarization trip to Isabela followed similarly successful activities organized by DFA-OPD for the members of the diplomatic corps beginning with Dagupan City in 2023, followed by trips to Negros Occidental and Zamboanga City in 2024. END
The cities and municipalities of Isabela showcased their unique culture and products in their respective booths at the Bambanti Festival. (Photo credits to DFA-OPD Johannes Adrian De Guia)
Diplomats curiously toured the rice processing facility of the cooperative. (Photo credits to Maria Vanessa Ubac)
The Nagkaisang Magsasaka ng Isabela Agriculture Cooperative (NMIAC) procures grains to be milled and processed for selling. (Photo credits to DFA-OPD Johannes Adrian De Guia)
The heads of mission visit the St. Matthias Parish or Tumauini Church— a National Cultural Treasure known for its unique Ultra Baroque architecture and cylindrical cake-like belfry. (Photo credits to DFA-OPD Maria Vanessa Ubac)