A European Union (EU) delegation headed by His Excellency Ambassador Massimo Santoro with 16 Ambassadors of EU Member States to the Philoppines wrapped up their visit to Cagayan de Oro City and the Province of Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao from 14-16 January 2026, emphasizing the strengthening of partnerships in peace-building, sustainable economic growth, and climate change resilience.

 

Highlights of their press briefing last January 15 at Seda Hotel focused on their ‘peace-economy-climate’ initiatives, and covered:

 

• The success of the EU-German funded Strengthening the Implementation of Regional and Local Peace and Development Agendas in Mindanao (SPADe) Project in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, which integrates climate-smart agriculture with peacebuilding, boosting sustainable coffee production in Bukidnon.

 

• Progress on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the fifth round of the EU-Philippines negotiations set for early March 2026, which aim to bring European innovation to local industries.

 

• Climate Resilience: The mission emphasized nature-based solutions and disaster risk reduction to protect agricultural livelihoods against climate change.

 

• Local Partnership: Ambassador Santoro thanked the people of Northern Mindanao and the City of Cagayan de Oro under Mayor Rolando A. Uy for their hospitality and cooperation.

 

According to Ambassador Santoro, the visit sought to reaffirm the EU's role as a long-term partner of the Philippines in building sustainable development and economic independence for the Filipino people. (NLB/CIO/photos by Rod Constantino/CIO)