ASPIRE

NAGA CITY --- Bicol Farmers and local fisherfolks have been maximizing opportunities for higher income through the ASPIRE project piloted by the Department of Agriculture in the Bicol region since the inception of the program in 2017.

ASPIRE, which stands for Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Expositions, is a multi-agency partnership project of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) aimed at converging key players in agriculture, business and industry.

On its 7th year of success in the ASPIRE project on September 29 – October 1,2023, the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) thru the leadership of its President Mario C. Villanueva and his ever supported Board of Directors, together with the City Government of Naga, the Provincial Office of the Department of Trade and Industry join forces and collaborate to strengthen this year’s agri-based promotion and expositions at the SM- Event Center in cooperation with the Management and Staff of SM- City Naga.

The idea is to build a simpler supply chain infrastructure for suppliers and processors to easily have access to raw materials endemic within the area for the production of indigenous but highly innovative Bicol products.

More often, we hear processors claiming that there is always absence of raw materials while farmers also, cite the absence of markets. Our job here is to shorten the gap in both sectors and bring them closer.

DA Focal Person, Organic Agriculture and Market Oriented Programs (OAMOP) and, Chief of Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Adelina A. Losa aspires for a vibrant industry where local farmers feel rewarded from whatever bounty they produce and are not at risk for losing. In addition, the Department also looks forward to a greater number of our farmers, processors, suppliers and consumers to be happy in a healthy industry. “Our target is aimed at positioning Bicol’s priority commodities and intensify the value-added components among Bicol’s leading products.”

This year, there are 48 carefully selected participating exhibitors who will occupy the sprawling circular Event Center of SM City-Naga. Exhibits will be open at 10:00 o’clock in the morning and close at 9:00pm. Come one and All!