6November 2022, SEOUL - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul welcomed a delegation of Governors and officers from the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) headed by Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua of Quirino Province for a Study and Benchmarking Mission on Agriculture and Food Security in the Republic of Korea from 19 to 23 October 2022. Governor Cua also serves as the National President of ULAP. Joining him in the mission is Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores of Aklan, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado of Bohol, Governor Rogelio Neil Roque of Bukidnon, Governor Edwin Jubahib of Davao Del Norte, Governor Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela, Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr. of Marinduque, Governor Damian Mercado of Southern Leyte and Governor Susan Yap of Tarlac.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, through the Philippine Agricultural Office, organized meetings and familiarization visits for the delegation with various agriculture agencies and organizations in the Republic of Korea such as the Smart Farm Innovation Valley in Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do, the Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency (KOAT), Korea Agrimachinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO), and Nonghyup Hanaro Mart and Farmers Cooperative. The study mission provided opportunities for further bilateral cooperation, as agriculture and food security is one of the main priorities of the Philippine government.

The delegation also attended the 2022 International Fermented Food Exhibition (IFFE) where fresh and fermented food products from various Philippine provinces like Tarlac and Quirino were displayed at the Philippine booth. Visitors likewise showed great interest in coffee from Bukidnon, okra from Tarlac, and bananas from Davao.

Prior to the agricultural study mission, Governor Cua attended the UCLG World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders and World Congress on "Local and Regional Governments Breaking Through as One" in Daejeon, Republic of Korea. He participated in the UCLG Executive Bureau meeting on 10 October 2022, that discussed the membership application of ULAP in the prestigious United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) organization.

During the mission, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega emphasized the importance of linking local governments to their counterparts abroad. She likewise expressed the Philippine Embassy in Korea's commitment to supporting Philippine efforts to tackle food security in the country through smart farming techniques and agricultural mechanization in strengthening PH-ROK agricultural cooperation. END