THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is set to host its first-ever food summit on Aug. 4–5, 2025, aiming to spark investments and policy shifts in Cebu’s agriculture sector amid persistent food insecurity and climate challenges.
Dubbed FoodSummit2025PH, the two-day “Food Safety, Security and Sustainability Summit” will bring together over 300 stakeholders, including farmers, agribusinesses, government agencies and civil society groups, to address gaps in food supply systems and explore innovations for a more resilient and inclusive agri-food economy. The summit will be held at the Cebu Provincial Capitol Social Hall.
Of the 300 expected participants, most are leaders of farmer groups from across Cebu.
The summit, which forms part of the Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2025 celebration, comes at a crucial time, as Cebu and the rest of the country face rising food insecurity.
The latest report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ranks the Philippines among the most food-insecure countries in the region, with around 51 million Filipinos experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity between 2021 and 2023.
Food security, as defined by the United Nations, refers to a situation in which all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences.
Organized in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Inno-Ventures Agriculture Cooperative (Pivac) and Pilmico Foods Corp., with support from provincial and local governments, the summit will promote a circular food economy, showcase sustainable farming systems and connect local producers to institutional buyers through business-to-business sessions.
“We want to align Cebu’s agri-sector with long-term solutions by empowering smallholders, attracting inclusive investments and bridging research with enterprise,” said Benedict Que, chairman of the food summit.
Que said the summit aims to link farmers directly with consumers and businesses, allowing them to sell their produce without going through middlemen. It also seeks to encourage more entrepreneurs to invest in the agriculture sector.
“This is one of the most important forums we’re organizing because it focuses on food — a basic necessity,” said Anton Perdices, overall chair of CBM 2025. He added that the summit could serve as a platform to address key challenges in the food supply chain.
Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who currently chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, has been invited as keynote speaker on the first day of the summit.
The event will also feature talks on climate-smart agriculture, food safety regulations and market access, along with breakout sessions, workshops and an agri-fair exhibition. Discussions will also highlight the importance of inclusivity in food systems by engaging marginalized groups — including women, youth, persons with disabilities and the LGBTQ community.
Grace Cenas, general manager of Pivac, said she hopes the summit will result in an actionable roadmap for food system transformation, greater funding for sustainable agri-projects and stronger private-public collaboration across the Visayas region.
She added that recommendations gathered during the two-day event will be endorsed to Senator Pangilinan’s office.
Meanwhile, DA 7 Technical Director Wilberto Castillo welcomed the chamber’s initiative to support the province’s agriculture sector, noting that private sector involvement is crucial in achieving food security.
“The sector needs all the help it can get, especially from partners in the private sector,” he said.
The country’s agricultural sector has shown positive growth, with the value of production in agriculture and fisheries expanding by 1.9 percent in the first quarter of 2025. This growth was driven by increases in crop, poultry and fisheries output.
Alongside the summit, an agri-fishery trade fair will also be held at the Capitol grounds. / KOC