PH Union of Local Authorities Conducts Study Mission for Agriculture and Food Security in the Republic of Korea
Top photo: Hon. Dakila Carlo E. Cua, Governor of the Province of Quirino and National President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) delivering his intervention at the Executive Bureau meeting on the sidelines of the UCLG World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders and World Congress in Daejeon, Republic of Korea. Below photo: Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega with ULAP governors and delegation during the briefing and tour of the Smart Farm Innovation Valley in Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do. (Seoul PE photos)
SEOUL, 24 October 2022 – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul welcomed a delegation of Governors and officers from the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) headed by ULAP National President Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua of Quirino Province for a Study and Benchmarking Mission on Agriculture and Food Security in the Republic of Korea conducted from 19 to 23 October 2022.
Joining Governor Cua in the mission are other local government leaders, Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores of Aklan, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado of Bohol, Governor Rogelio Neil Roque of Bukidnon, Governor Edwin Jubahib of Davao Del Norte, Governor Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela, Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr. of Marinduque, Governor Damian Mercado of Southern Leyte, and Governor Susan Yap of Tarlac.
The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, through the Philippine Agricultural Office, organized meetings and familiarization visits for the delegation with various agriculture agencies and organizations in the Republic of Korea such as the Smart Farm Innovation Valley in Gimje- si, Jeollabuk-do, the Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency (KOAT), Korea Agrimachinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO), and Nonghyup Hanaro Mart and Farmers Cooperative. The study mission provided opportunities for further bilateral cooperation, as agriculture and food security is one of the main priorities of the Philippine government.
The delegation also attended the 2022 International Fermented Food Exhibition (IFFE) where fresh and fermented food products from various Philippine provinces like Tarlac and Quirino were displayed at the Philippine booth. Visitors likewise showed great interest in coffee from Bukidnon, okra from Tarlac, and bananas from Davao.
Prior to the agricultural study mission, Governor Cua attended the UCLG World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders and World Congress on “Local and Regional Governments Breaking Through as One” in Daejeon, Republic of Korea. He participated in the UCLG Executive Bureau meeting on 10 October 2022, that discussed the membership application of ULAP in the prestigious United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) organization.
During the mission, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega emphasized the importance of linking local governments to their counterparts abroad. She likewise expressed the Philippine Embassy in Korea’s commitment to supporting Philippine efforts to tackle food security in the country through smart farming techniques and agricultural mechanization in strengthening PH-ROK agricultural cooperation. END
Photo above: The Governors and ULAP delegation attending a briefing at the Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion (KOAT) with KOAT Vice President Kim Byung-un and KOAT officials. The delegation also participated in the 2022 International Fermented Food Exhibition (IFFE) in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea (top-right). Right below photo: Governor Cua and Ambassador Dizon-De Vega with the Philippine delegation during the networking dinner attended by ROK counterpart officials H.E. Han Dong Man, former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines, Deputy Secretary General Dae-sik Kim of the Governors Association of the Republic of Korea (GAROK), Ms. Maria Kim, Senior Manager of GAROK, Director Yeong Woo Wang of the City Brand Division of Goyang City Government, Ms. So Yeong Jeong of the International Cooperation Division of Goyang City Government and Mr. Yeu Min-yul of The Korea Post media. (Seoul PE photos)
For more information, visit https://www.seoulpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philembassy-seoul.com, or https://www.facebook.com/PHinKorea/.