The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to strengthen the connection between farming and tourism in the Philippines. The partnership aims to turn farms into tourist destinations while promoting local food and Filipino cuisine.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the collaboration will align programs, infrastructure, and promotions to make the country a top food and gastronomy destination in Asia.
The MOA builds on existing laws that support agriculture and farm tourism, including the 1987 Constitution, the Tourism Act of 2009, the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016, and the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997.
Key initiatives under the agreement include:
- Expanding farm tourism destinations.
- Promoting Filipino cuisine.
- Integrating agricultural priorities into tourism planning.
- Linking farm-to-market road projects with tourism routes to improve access and logistics.
DA Secretary Laurel said the agreement goes beyond adding tourist stops, aiming to create stable demand for local produce, encourage value-adding, and connect agriculture with the broader economy. He noted that consistent sourcing of farm products by hotels and restaurants can generate rural investments, employment, and economic activity.
A joint technical working group will oversee implementation, draft plans, and coordinate stakeholders. Each agency will cover its own costs, emphasizing collaboration rather than shared funding.
Officials hope the initiative will make farm productivity, infrastructure, and tourism growth mutually reinforcing, turning culinary recognition into a nationwide development strategy.
