TORREVILLAS

by Cainta vice mayor Pia Schuck-Velasco, women empowerment by Dimataling (Zamboanga del Sur) mayor Maria Dolores Baya, and climate-smart farming by International Center for Tropical Agriculture director for Asia Dindo Campilan.

Leading practitioners who will share their experiences are Villa Socorro Agri-Eco Village and Farm Resort general manager Raymund Aaron; Puentespina Farm by co-owner Dr. Roberto Puentespina Jr.; Rapha Valley owner Albert Jo; Nurture Wellness Village president Cathy Turvill; Movement of Incentive Travel Executives president Rose Libongco, and Costales Farms president Josephine Ferreras Costales.

Providing global outlook on farm tourism are Sapa O’Chau founder Tan Thi Su (Vietnam), Phutawen Farm owner Dalounny Douangpaseuth (Laos), National Institute of Agricultural Science senior agricultural researcher Dr. Lock-Hwan Jo (South Korea), and Ohtawara Tourism Co. Ltd. president Daisuke Fujii, and Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Jesus Domingo.

Government resource persons include La Union Gov. Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III, Surigao Del Sur Vice Gov. Manuel Alameda, DOT 4-A regional director Vernie Morales, Bureau of Soils and Water Management assistant director Dr. Edna Pangan, and Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard Dr. Vivencio Mamaril.

Complementing the talks is a side exhibit of locally grown agricultural produce from partners and participating farms.

The conference concludes today with an ocular visit to the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction in Silang, Cavite to offer participants a first-hand experience on its successful projects.