Naga City to host 9th Aspire Agribusiness Expo

NAGA CITY – The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office V (DA-RFO5), A-MAD Division, and Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), in partnership with the Naga City Local Government Unit, will hold the 2025 ASPIRE Agribusiness Exposition from August 22-24, 2025 at Robinson’s Place Atrium Activity Center, Almeda Highway, Triangulo, Naga City.

This year’s event gains special significance with Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo delivering the Keynote Address on “ A Harvest of Hope: A Farmers’ Showcase” during the grand opening on August 22, 2025 ( Friday), 2:00 PM. The Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board of Directors together with it 600+ members will lead the 30+ DA- selected agribusiness farmers-exhibitors. The ceremony will commence with an inspirational invocation by the Naga College Foundation, Inc. Chorale, followed by a Welcome Address from MNCCI President Mario C. Villanueva and a special message from the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture - Rodel P. Tornilla, RAgr, MABE. Enhanced Program Highlights, included: 1. New Leadership: Under the chairmanship of MNCCI Vice President for Programs and Projects Eleannor Zuniga Montemayor, the 2025 exposition introduces. 2. Expanded Partnerships: Strengthened collaboration between DA-RFO5, DTI-05, and 30+ new private sector partners 3. Digital Integration: First-ever “Smart Farming Pavilion” featuring IoT solutions for agriculture 4. Sustainable Focus: Special section dedicated to organic and climate-resilient farming techniques Mayor Robredo emphasized the event’s significance: “ASPIRE represents our collective commitment to creating sustainable livelihoods through innovation and partnership. This exposition serves as a crucial platform for our farmers to connect directly with markets and modern technologies.”

Event Schedule Highlights, August 22 (Opening Day) 1:30 PM: Registration, 2:00 PM: Formal Opening Ceremony, Invocation: NCFI Chorale, Welcome Address: MNCCI President Mario C. Villanueva, Keynote Address: Mayor Leni Robredo, 3:30 PM: Ribbon-Cutting and Exhibit Tour

August 23-24, Daily 10:00 AM: Technical Sessions on Value Chain Development, 11:00 AM Quick audience at Exhibit area while en route to the Cacao Festival with DA Secretary Laurel Tiu at the Pili, Provincial Capitol., 2:00PM “ Young Farmers Challenge” to be hosted by DA Specialist Pat Baradon. Key participants are students from the Naga College Foundation, Inc. Agribusiness Technology Institute led by Director Dr. Wenifredo Onate. Followed by Business Matching seessions., 10:00 AM-8:00 PM: Exhibit Viewing (Farm Products, Agri-Tech Displays) Chairperson Montemayor announced this year’s unique attractions: “We’re enhancing last year’s mini-farm concept with augmented reality displays that show crop growth cycles and a ‘Future Farming’ simulation zone. Visitors can experience both traditional and high-tech agricultural methods side by side.”

This event is open to the public from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. Free admission for farmers and fisherfolk with valid ID. Special rates available for bulk buyers and institutional participants.

ASPIRE now is in its 9th year, the Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Expositions (ASPIRE) has facilitated over ₱850M in business transactions since 2017. The program continues under the leadership of DA-Agribusiness Marketing Assistance OIC- Division Chief Luisito R. Baltazar, ABE, through the support of Chief and Marketing Development Section – DA – Regional Field Office 5 - Chief Nancy F. Salvino who notes: “Our 2025 goal is to connect at least 500 farmers directly with national distributors through this platform.”