A high-level delegation of European Union Ambassadors has strengthened ties with local communities in Mindanao, marking a significant step in peace and economic development efforts. The visit to Bukidnon on Thursday, January 15, 2026, involved sixteen ambassadors engaging directly with stakeholders under the Strengthening the Implementation of Regional and Local Peace and Development Agendas in Mindanao (SPADe) Project.
High-Level Diplomacy Meets Grassroots Development
The delegation, led by H.E. EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro, met with cooperatives, project implementers, and local leaders. The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), serving as the political partner and chair of the SPADe management advisory group, facilitated the engagement. This visit is a direct follow-through from the commitments made at the Mindanao Development Forum (MDF) in 2025.
MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno underscored the philosophy behind the initiative. He emphasized that the strength of Mindanao's progress is built on partnerships that actively listen to communities and deliver tangible results where they are needed most.
Bukidnon Showcases the Link Between Economy and Peace
In Bukidnon, the SPADe project's work is centered on three key areas: advancing the coffee value chain, promoting investments, and strengthening cooperatives. The ambassadors participated in stakeholder dialogues and visited a marketplace showcasing local products, witnessing firsthand the region's economic potential.
Ambassador Santoro observed a powerful connection in Bukidnon. "Here in Bukidnon, we see a strong nexus between economic development and peace, alongside concrete climate action," he stated. "This shows that when both sides work closely on shared priorities, cooperation becomes a powerful tool for promoting business and attracting investments."
The ambassadors were welcomed by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Bukidnon Province Governor Rogelio Neil Roque, and MinDA's Northern Mindanao Area Chief Lordelie Enjambre.
A Partnership Aligned with National Goals
The EU-MinDA collaboration directly supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directives to bolster local value chains, accelerate investments, and ensure inclusive regional development. MinDA champions agri-based development as a core strategy for growth, aligning with the administration's priorities.
The Bukidnon engagement is a concrete reflection of President Marcos Jr.'s call to modernize agriculture, empower farmers, and enable regional economies to contribute more substantially to national progress.
The SPADe project is co-financed by the European Union and Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by the German development agency GIZ. It operates under the broader Mindanao Peace and Development Programme (MinPAD RISE), aiming to foster peace-responsive economic growth.
The full list of EU Ambassadors who joined the visit includes:
- H.E. Ambassador Dr. Titanilla Tóth (Hungary)
- H.E. Ambassador Raduta Dana Matache (Romania)
- H.E. Ambassador Marielle Geraedts (Netherlands)
- H.E. Ambassador Dr. Johann Brieger (Austria)
- H.E. Ambassador Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin (Denmark)
- H.E. Ambassador Dr. Andreas Pfaffernoschke (Germany)
- H.E. Ambassador Marie Fontanel (France)
- H.E. Ambassador Karel Hejo (Czech Republic)
- H.E. Ambassador Davide Giglio (Italy)
- H.E. Ambassador Emma Hickey (Ireland)
- H.E. Ambassador Saija Nurminen (Finland)
- H.E. Ambassador Anna Ferry (Sweden)
- H.E. Ambassador Vladislava Iordanova (Belgium)
- H.E. Anna Krzak-Danel, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. (Poland)
- H.E. Pedro Llinas, Deputy Head of Mission (Spain)
