COTABATO CITY—Sustainable agribusiness and fisheries initiatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) were showcased during the Bangsamoro Investment and Trade Advocacy Forum held here on Jan. 13–14, 2026.
The forum, led by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), gathered national and BARMM government agencies, agribusiness stakeholders, and partners from the European Union (EU)–funded Bangsamoro Agri-Enterprise Program (BAEP) to advance investment opportunities in the region.
In his opening message, MAFAR Minister Abunawas Maslamama emphasized the region’s strengths in key agribusiness sectors.
“For MAFAR, these priorities are deeply connected to our key agribusiness value chains of coconut, fisheries—particularly seaweeds—and other commodities where BARMM has a strong comparative advantage,” Maslamama said.
“Our fisheries and seaweeds industry needs whole-system sustainability and reliable market linkages,” he added.
Project Manager Gerry Constantino of the EU BAEP–Creating Responsible Sustainable Competitive Enterprise (CRESCENT) said the event reflected the outcomes of sustained collaboration among stakeholders.
“This event is really a gathering of friends and partners arising from our 3 years of collaboration in making the BARMM Agri-fisheries sector responsible, sustainable and competitive,” Constantino said.
The forum also featured presentations on investment strategies, gaps, and priority programs to enhance productivity in agriculture and services by Engr. Ismail Guiamel, Bangsamoro Director General for Agriculture.
Meanwhile, Pendatun Patarasa, MAFAR Director General for Fisheries, presented the strategic investment pathways for fisheries development in BARMM, highlighting opportunities to further strengthen the region’s fisheries industry.
The event aimed to promote a peaceful, cohesive, secure, and inclusive Bangsamoro by supporting rural development and strengthening agricultural value chains to boost agribusiness and rural enterprises.
The initiative aligned with Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua’s development agenda, particularly the government’s fourth priority, which focuses all efforts on agri-fishery productivity. (Norhaifa Dipatuan/BIO)
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