ASPIRE 2025 Celebrates 9th Year: Bicol Farmers’ ‘Harvest of Hope’ drives 42% agribusiness growth in decade-long partnership

NAGA CITY – The Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), in partnership with the Naga City Local Government, successfully launched the 9th Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Expositions (ASPIRE 2025) on August 22-24, 2025. Held at Robinsons Place Atrium, Almeda Highway, Triangulo, Naga City, the event spotlighted over 30 agribusiness exhibitors from the Bicol Region, showcasing innovations in farm-to-market value addition under the theme “Harvest of Hope: A Farmer’s Showcase.”

Event Highlights

1. Opening Ceremony

• Naga City Mayor Hon. Maria Leonor Gerona-Robredo emphasized ASPIRE’s role in empowering farmers through her keynote in Bikol:

“An sarong paraoma igwang duwang qualities: Pagmaot (perseverance) asin Pagtubod (faith). Sa paagi kan ASPIRE, mataohan nin aspirasyon ang mga paraoma na magkaigwa nin oportunidad para mapaorog pa an saindang hanap-buhay.”

(Translation: “A farmer embodies two qualities: perseverance and faith. Through ASPIRE, we ignite aspirations among farmers to expand opportunities and elevate livelihoods.”)

2. Exhibitor Showcase

Curated by ASPIRE Chairperson Leanne Zuniga-Montemayor, the event featured 30 enterprises across categories:

• Food Innovators: MYA Foods, Ashley Pili Nut Candies, Alden Therese Food Industry

• Cooperatives: GATBO Vegetable Growers Association, Pecuaria Development Coop, Bikolanas Agri Cooperative

• Provincial Delegations: All six Bicol provinces (Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Catanduanes)

• Sustainability Champions: MURAVAH Foundation, CBSUA Business Innovation Center, Polangui Organic Kalamay

3. High-Profile Visits

• DA Secretary Laurel, Camarines Sur Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte, and DA Regional Director Rodel P. Tornilla toured exhibits, engaging directly with farmers and entrepreneurs.

4. Cacao Congress Synergy

A parallel Cacao Congress at Summit Hotel (August 23) highlighted Bicol’s emerging cacao industry, with participants from Crave Cacao Orchard and Alea Chocolates bridging agriculture and gourmet markets.

Decade-Long Legacy: Since 2017, ASPIRE—spearheaded by the DA Regional Field Office V (DA-RFO5) and implemented by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS)—has connected over 500 farmers to markets, boosting regional agribusiness revenue by 42%.

• 2025 Milestones:

• 1,200+ visitors engaged with exhibitors over three days.

• 15+ new distribution partnerships initiated for Bicol products.

Congressman Hon. Nelson S. Legacion closed the event with a tribute to farmers:

“Farmers are quiet revolutionaries. ASPIRE reminds us that prosperity begins when we honor the dignity of tilling the soil as much as crafting poetry.”

— Invoking Booker T. Washington’s timeless wisdom.

ASPIRE 2025 is a tripartite initiative by DA-RFO5, MNCCI, and LGU Naga. The event advances agribusiness innovation in Bicol through market linkages, training, and policy advocacy.