MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have formalized a strategic alliance aimed at strengthening farm tourism and deepening the connection between food production and the country’s growing travel industry.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed a memorandum of agreement on Monday, Feb. 16, committing both agencies to harmonize programs, infrastructure development, and promotional efforts. The partnership seeks to position the Philippines as a leading food and gastronomy destination in Asia while expanding opportunities for rural communities.
The agreement is anchored on several key national policies, including the 1987 Constitution, which mandates state support for agriculture; the Tourism Act of 2009, which promotes agri-tourism and countryside development; the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016, which recognizes farm tourism as a strategy for sustainable rural growth; and the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997, which tasks the DA with raising productivity and incomes in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
Under the partnership, the two agencies will coordinate in expanding farm tourism sites, promoting Filipino cuisine, and integrating agricultural priorities into tourism planning. A key component of the agreement is aligning Farm-to-Market Road projects with tourism circuits under the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program to improve access to farms and emerging destinations, while enhancing logistics support for producers.
Tiu Laurel described the initiative as a long-term structural intervention for the agriculture sector. “This is not simply about adding tourist stops to farms, a visit that could even spur greater investment in the farm sector,” he said. “It is about creating stable institutional demand for local produce, encouraging value-adding, and integrating agriculture into the broader services economy.”
He added that consistent sourcing by hotels and restaurants from Filipino farmers can stimulate rural investments, generate employment, and expand economic activity beyond primary production. Linking agriculture to tourism, he noted, will also encourage higher standards in quality, food safety, and sustainability, enabling local producers to compete in premium markets.
To ensure effective implementation, a Joint Technical Working Group will be established to develop work plans and coordinate stakeholders from both sectors. Each agency will shoulder its own expenses, reflecting a convergence model centered on coordination rather than pooled funding. Officials said the initiative aims to transform culinary recognition into a nationwide development strategy where farm productivity, infrastructure, and tourism growth reinforce one another.
