CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) in partnership with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and other private sector industry groups launched the 2nd Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Expositions (Aspire) at Robinsons Starmills here.

The event, which will run from June 20 to 22, aims to promote the regional priority commodities and agri-fishery based products, and to showcase strong linkages with farmers and fisher folk.

The components of the programs are: production support, enterprise development and industry support, agribusiness investments and promotions, and market promotion and development.

Engineer Roy Abaya, DA Central Luzon regional executive director, said that Aspire aims to develop the capacity of local farmers and fisher folks and MSMEs to optimize market opportunities, promotion and advocacy of investment opportunities to encourage agribusiness investments, and build strong partnerships and convergence with other government and private sector industry groups.

Meanwhile, newly-appointed Undersecretary for Agribusiness Marketing Jose Gabriel “Pompee” M. La Viña served as the Keynote Speaker.

President Duterte’s economic agenda is towards achieving “a better and more comfortable life to every Filipino”—the role of DA in this, as mentioned by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, is to provide affordable and available food for all through technology, financing, and marketing.