3 July 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz led the Agribusiness Investment Forum to inform overseas Filipinos of agribusiness opportunities as a viable platform for livelihood and employment reintegration in the Philippines when they eventually decide to return to the country for good.

The Agribusiness Investment Forum was successfully hosted in Northern Italy by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Rome and the Philippine Consulate General in Milan.  Two sessions were held for Filipinos in Northern Italy, in Milan on June 20 and in Turin on June 23. 

In the Forum, Secretary Alcala and other DA officials discussed the different areas of agriculture (crops, livestock and fisheries) and its huge business potentials for investors. This was complemented by presentations by DOLE officials headed by Secretary Baldoz on how overseas Filipinos with plans to pursue agribusiness ventures in the Philippines can be supported by DOLE’s National Reintegration or “Balik Manggagawa” Program.

The well-attended fora in Milan and Turin generated much interest among the Filipinos who were present.  Interest to invest was further drummed-up by the awarding of raffle prizes to lucky audience members who were given start-up packages of crop seedlings, fingerlings and goat/sheep livestock to be delivered to their preferred provinces in the Philippines.

Overseas Filipinos conveyed their heartfelt appreciation for the program, citing that the DA-DOLE initiative shows the importance the government attaches to overseas Filipinos to be partners of national development and at the same time, provide much needed opportunities for them to be able to return to the country with the assurance of income.

While in Milan, Secretary Alcala also met with the Chamber of Commerce of Milan. In the meeting, Secretary Alcala presented to the Milanese Chamber officials the investment opportunities in the agricultural sector of the Philippines. END