The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), welcomed the delegates of the Italian Trade Mission in Manila. As part of their three-day itinerary, the Trade Mission delegates conducted a meeting with the Department of Agriculture Officials headed by DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban, on 07 March 2023, at the DA-BSWM Lopez Convention Hall. This is the second of their three-day Trade Mission, which particularly aimed to have in-depth meetings with the authorities responsible for irrigation systems and groundwater management for agricultural purposes – the DA-BSWM, National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and Philippine Rice Research Institute (PHILRICE).

Director Gina P. Nilo of the DA-BSWM, followed by Italian Trade Agency (ITA) Liaison Officer at ADB Ms. Valeria Lopez, formally opened the meeting with their Welcome Remarks. Embassy of Italy in the Philippines Vice Consul Matteo Mascia delivered his message, thereafter.

DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban, in his message, said among others, that this visit can serve to strengthen and give fresh vigor and vitality to the long record of friendship between the two countries. Further, Senior Undersecretary Panganiban mentioned that “the Philippine Government has always chosen consultation and consensus before making decisions pertaining to cooperation and commerce with our allies abroad. And when a decision is already made, we stay firm in our resolve to maintain our mutually beneficial agreements with our partners in the community of nations.”

As the main part of this Italian Trade Mission visit at the Department of Agriculture, several presentations were conducted – from the Trade Mission delegates from Italy: Acquedotto Pugliese, CAPRARI, Cooperative Muratori Cementisti (CMC) Ravenna, Irritec, Valvotubi, Ind.; and from the Philippine representatives: from the DA-BSWM, NIA, and PhilRice.

With their short stay in the Philippines, the Trade Mission delegates from the Embassy of Italy, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ICCPI), ensured efficiency with their full-packed itinerary, wherein they prepared three separate programs which concern various sectors. The meeting was officially closed by the Embassy of Italy in the Philippines Vice Consul Matteo Mascia.