The Center for Policy and Executive Development (CPED) of the National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) led the International Capacity Building on SMART City Governance and Agri-Food Wholesale Market Study Tour from September 9 to 14, 2024. The market study tour, held in Kaohsiung and Taipei, Taiwan, brought together government officials and private-sector representatives for benchmarking and knowledge-sharing on urban governance, cold chain logistics, and sustainable agricultural systems.
This collaborative initiative was co-organized by CPED Director Dr. Enrico L. Basilio, in partnership with Edu-Connect Southeast Asia Association, represented by its Senior Adviser and NCPAG Visiting Professor Dr. Eing Ming Wu, and the Philippine Trade & Investment Center in Taipei (PTIC-Taipei) of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) – Commercial Affairs Section, led by its Director for Commercial Affairs, Mr. Anthony B. Rivera. The program also received support from USAID-UPPAF RESPOND.
𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
The study tour included participants from the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), House of Representatives (HRep), Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO), FoodStarter Philippines, JNA Consulting Management, and Megawide Construction Corporation. Former DTI Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual also joined the delegation and was conferred as Senior Adviser of Linhai Industrial Park Manufacturer Association.
𝗞𝗮𝗼𝗵𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗻𝗴: 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
In Kaohsiung, participants visited the Kaohsiung Linhai Industrial Park, Intelligent Transportation Center, and New Asia Bay Development. Presentations by CIAC Strategy and Corporate Management Department Manager Ms. Melissa Feliciano and APECO Business Development Officer Mr. Gene Ferrer underscored opportunities for collaboration. Delegates also toured cold chain facilities, such as the California Cold Chain Cooperative, and engaged in networking with Taiwanese industry leaders to discuss sustainable urban strategies.
𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗶: 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶-𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The delegation traveled to Taipei to visit the Farmers Association of Bade, Taoyuan, and attend the 9th Taiwan Smart AgriWeek and the 10th International Aquaculture & Fisheries Expo. The Cold Chain Industrial Collaboration Summit served as a key platform for fostering partnerships, with presentations from CIAC, APECO, and USAID-UPPAF RESPOND and facilitated discussions on integrating Taiwan’s advanced systems into the Philippine agricultural sector. Participants also learned from the tour and lecture presentations at the Binjiang Fruit and Vegetable Auction Market and the Taipei Flower Auction, learning about innovative packaging, sorting, and distribution techniques.
𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The SMART City Governance and Agri-Food Wholesale Market Study Tour exemplifies CPED’s commitment to fostering meaningful international partnerships. By organizing this knowledge-sharing initiative, CPED provided delegates with opportunities for actionable strategies and strengthened linkages between Filipino and Taiwanese stakeholders.
