𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝟑-𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐎 𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro graced the opening of a THREE-day expo aimed at strengthening food system in the province.
The Knowledge & Learning, Innovation, and Trade Expo (KITE 2.0)—a landmark institutional market forum, trade expo, and learning exchange, officially opened on April 15 at the Summit Hotel in Robinsons Galleria, marking a significant step toward strengthening the country’s cooperative-driven food systems.
Organized by the Philippine Family Farmers Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry Cooperative Federation, in partnership with Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Department of Agriculture (DA), CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative, MASS-SPECC Cooperative Development Center, NATCCO Network, Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives, Inc. (Coop Chamber), and the Asian Farmers’ Association (AFA), the three-day expo runs from April 15 to 17 and brings together key stakeholders across the agriculture and cooperative sectors.
A total of 47 cooperatives and 74 participants are featured in the expo, showcasing a diverse array of nutritious, climate-smart, and locally produced goods—underscoring the resilience and innovation within the country’s cooperative movement.
Envisioned as a national platform, KITE 2.0 aims to strengthen food systems by highlighting the critical role of cooperatives in food procurement, production, and distribution. Anchored on the themes “Tatak Kooperatiba: Pagkaon Para sa Lahat” and “From Farmers to the Nation,” the expo promotes solidarity and collective action, reinforcing the idea that food security is a shared responsibility.
Aligned with the food security advocacy of Governor Pamela Baricuatro, KITE 2.0 demonstrates how cooperatives serve as vital pillars of a sustainable food supply chain—ensuring access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food for Cebuanos and Filipinos nationwide.
Irish P. Baguilat, program officer of the Asian Farmers’ Association (AFA), emphasized the importance of strengthening grassroots capacities amid global uncertainties.
“Crisis will be there globally, pandemic war will happen, climate change, but when we build these capacities at the local level through the AGRICOOPeratives then I think it surmount or overcome this situation,” she said.
In her message, Governor Baricuatro reaffirmed the provincial government’s full support for the initiative.
“Ako isip inyong gobernador ug kami sa Kapitolyo, kauban ninyo,” said the governor, expressing solidarity with the cooperative sector. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑲𝑨𝑺
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