EU and EU Member States Ambassadors Visit Northern Mindanao from 14 to 16 January 2026

The Ambassador of the European Union and the Ambassadors of the EU Member States in the Philippines pay an official visit to Northern Mindanao for the first time jointly to get acquainted with the region and to explore opportunities for further collaboration.

We are pleased to visit Mindanao jointly for the first time. Since 2020, the EU has invested more than Php 9.6 B (€ 140 M) in Mindanao and making it as one of the largest grant contributors, said the European Union Ambassador to the Philippines, Massimo Santoro.

We thank Senator Zubiri and all the local government officials and representatives from government agencies, NGOs, civil society organisations and the press, for the very warm welcome. We also like to acknowledge the strong commitment of the local governments, civil society organisations to good governance and to green inclusive growth in the region, added EU Ambassador.

During their visit, the Ambassadors are meeting with Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Bukidnon Representatives Jonathan Keith Tello Flores, Jose Manuel Alba, Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil Roque, Cagayan de Oro Mayor Rolando Uy and Impasug-ong Mayor Jetaime Okinlay-Gumban.

The Ambassadors visiting the region include H.E. Massimo Santoro (European Union), H.E. Titanilla Tóth (Hungary), H.E. Raduta Dana Matache (Romania), H.E. Marielle Geraedts (Netherlands), H.E. Johann Brieger (Austria), H.E. Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin (Denmark), H.E. Andreas Pfaffernoschke (Germany), H.E. Marie Fontanel (France), H.E. Karel Hejč (Czech Republic), H.E. Davide Giglio (Italy), H.E. Emma Hickey (Ireland), H.E. Saija Nurminen (Finland), H.E. Anna Ferry (Sweden), H.E. Vladislava Iordanova (Belgium), Mrs. Anna Krzak-Danel, Chargé d'affaires, a.i (Poland) and Mr. Pedro Llinas, Chargé d'affaires, a.i (Spain).

Background:

SPADE PROJECT: The EU SPADE project is co-financed by the European Union Php 1.037 B (€ 15 M) and the German Government Php 204 M (€ 3 M). It is part of the European Union Mindanao Peace and Development Programme (MinPAD-RISE) supporting the development of conflict-sensitive and climate-smart values chains as well as the promotion of investments in Mindanao. The Ambassadors are meeting with farmers demonstrating their climate-smart agricultural practices especially as Bukidnon is positioning itself to become the Arabica coffee capital of the Philippines. The SPADE project supports a cooperative-led approach through e.g. the sharing of assets, institutional purchasing, and the adoption of modern technology, to increase the scale and quality of production. As of mid-2025, 7225 farming households were assisted by the project with 74% of these farmers adopting climate-smart practices, exceeding project targets.

TRI-CITY JUSTICE ZONE: Cagayan de Oro along with Iligan and Ozamiz City, form a "Tri-City Justice Zone" focused on combating Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM). Launched in September 2024 by the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) the Justice Zone in Region X is being supported by the EU-GOJUST programme in its efforts to improve justice coordination for these critical issues. This Tri-City Justice Zone is a collaboration between courts, police, prosecution, civil society organisations, LGUs and other agencies to streamline justice delivery for child exploitation cases. It aims to create efficient, coordinated systems for prevention, prosecution, and support for victims. The EU is supporting the country's 16 Justice Zones through the EU GOJUST programme.

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