Marilyn Cahatol

Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Dr. Qu Dongyu, visits the Department of Agriculture on Monday, March 16, 2026, as part of his three-day official visit to the Philippines. The visit aims to strengthen cooperation on food security, sustainable agriculture, and programs that support Filipino farmers and the country’s agricultural development. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773661309785651259525_1450146230493962_8823560776300708051_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Dr. Qu Dongyu, visits the Department of Agriculture on Monday, March 16, 2026, as part of his three-day official visit to the Philippines. The visit aims to strengthen cooperation on food security, sustainable agriculture, and programs that support Filipino farmers and the country’s agricultural development. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) signaled stronger support for the Philippines’ agriculture sector following the first official visit of its Director-General, Dr. Qu Dongyu, to the headquarters of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday.</p><p>During the visit, FAO and Philippine agriculture officials discussed financing support, investment partnerships, and technical assistance aimed at strengthening the country’s agri-food systems and improving the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk.</p><p>Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. said talks focused on programs that could accelerate agricultural development, including investment mechanisms linked to global financial institutions and FAO-led initiatives.</p><p>“Nag-meeting ang FAO Director-General at bumisita nga sa atin para pag-usapan iyong mga ibang programa at suporta na ibibigay nila sa ating bansa para ma-improve iyong agricultural food systems natin. Isang napag-usapan namin is iyong irigasyon,” Tiu-Laurel said.</p><p>“At meron tayong tinatawag na hand-in-hand investment forum na pino-promote ng FAO. At napag-usapan din iyong public-private partnership with the Philippine government, FAO, and the private sector. Para iyong mga ibang proyekto na pwedeng mapondohan ng private sector... para nga mas mapabilis at mas transparent nga at mapabilis natin iyong transformation ng ating bansa in terms of agriculture,” he added.</p><p>The agriculture chief said the FAO is also expected to engage the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help mobilize funding for priority agricultural projects in the Philippines.</p><p>Among the key areas highlighted for potential investment is aquaculture, which FAO officials see as a promising sector for expanding seafood production in the country.</p><p>&quot;Ang pinu-push kanina ni Director-General, to be specific, is aquaculture. Kasi naniniwala siya na ‘yan iyong kayang paramihin nang paramihin ng isda. Pero nabanggit ko nga, sa bangus magaling na tayo, sa tilapia magaling na tayo,” Tiu-Laurel said.</p><p>“Kailangan natin ng pangatlo o pang-apat na different na variety ng seafoods na tatanggapin ng tao para nga iyong ang i-produce natin. Dahil hindi naman pwedeng araw-araw bangus ang kakainin natin o kaya tilapia,” he added.</p><p>He added that while the Philippines currently has ample supply of chicken, assistance may be needed to rebuild the swine industry.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/12/war-disrupts-fertilizer-supplies-puts-food-security-at-risk-0854">War disrupts fertilizer supplies, puts food security at risk</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>DA WELCOMED FAO DELEGATION</strong></div><p>Earlier on the day, the DA formally welcomed the FAO delegation and highlighted the longstanding partnership between the Philippines and the international organization, of which the country is a founding member.</p><p>“Our department is both historic and symbolic. It reflects the deep and enduring partnership between the government of the Philippines and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Your presence here affirms our shared commitment to transforming food systems, strengthening rural livelihoods, and advancing food security for our people,” Tiu-Laurel said in his remarks.</p><p>For his part, FAO Director-General Dr. Qu Dongyu emphasized the Philippines’ importance to the FAO and its potential to transform its agricultural sector.</p><p>He also highlighted FAO’s development framework known as the “Four Betters,” better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.</p><p>“At the FAO, we work towards the realization of the four betters. Better production, better nutrition, a better environment, a better life, leaving no one behind. The Philippines has all the criteria to achieve this aspiration,” Qu said.</p><p>“With its diversity of crops, animals, fish, and dynamic farmers and fishermen, your country can become a strong example of sustainable agro-food system transformation in the region and beyond,” Qu added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/30/da-launches-farm-to-market-road-portal-in-bid-to-boost-transparency-1244">DA launches farm-to-market road portal in bid to boost transparency</a></div><p>The FAO chief also noted that the organization’s country office in the Philippines will mark its 50th anniversary in 2027, highlighting decades of cooperation between the two sides.</p><p>During the visit, Qu also presented Tiu-Laurel with a commemorative coin recognizing the International Year of Women Farmers and a personal calligraphy message honoring the Philippines as a founding FAO member.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8P24oJ5u3Vo?si=jrBz-8rdZfaXM8ye" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) signaled stronger support for the Philippines’ agriculture sector following the first official visit of its Director-General, Dr. Qu Dongyu, to the headquarters of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday.</p>

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) signaled stronger support for the Philippines’ agriculture sector following the first official visit of its Director-General, Dr. Qu Dongyu, to the headquarters of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday.

United Nations’ FAO chief visits PH, backs investments to boost agriculture and food systems

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United Nations’ FAO chief visits PH, backs investments to boost agriculture and food systems

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 16, 2026 09:36 PM PHT

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Department of Agriculture

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Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr.

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