Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, on Saturday, Jan. 17, said that a historic visit by 16 European Union (EU) ambassadors and senior officials to Northern Mindanao showcased the region’s economic potential and agricultural strengths, especially Bukidnon’s coffee sector.

It also highlighted peace and security gains, and opportunities for deeper European partnerships and investments.

Zubiri said that Northern Mindanao last week played host to a historic diplomatic visit as a record number of EU ambassadors and senior EU officials arrived to see firsthand the region’s economic potential, development priorities, and peace and security landscape.

“This is historic for Northern Mindanao. Pinakamalaking delegation ito ng EU ambassadors at chargé d’affaires na pumunta dito: a total of 16, including EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro (This is the largest delegation of EU ambassadors and chargés d’affaires to come here: a total of 16, including EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro),” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri stressed.

He describes the visit as a strong signal that Europe is paying closer attention to Mindanao’s growth story.

Zubiri noted that the delegation includes EU Ambassador Santoro, 13 ambassadors, and two chargé d’affaires. This marked the biggest EU diplomatic mission to travel together to Northern Mindanao in a single visit, with engagements set across Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon.

He added that Northern Mindanao’s agriculture, logistics and expanding industries make it a natural point of interest for European stakeholders, and that the EU diplomatic delegation has seen this first-hand.

Zubiri explained that the mission was primarily meant to check on the EU’s ongoing projects and partnerships in Northern Mindanao, with the delegation sitting down with local groups such as Liceo de Cagayan, LGUs, Kauyagan Savers Multipurpose Cooperative, and other community cooperatives for direct dialogue on how their programs are landing on the ground and where support can be improved.

He added that the visit also doubled as the EU’s annual retreat and planning session, an offshoot of his invitation for the ambassadors and senior EU officials to visit the region, with their local project partners helping map out the itinerary that included courtesy calls with local leaders, cultural stops, and site visits.

The Senate leader, who hails from Bukidnon, drew attention to the province’s role in the country’s food supply chain, stressing that it remains the Philippines’ top agricultural producer, with its agriculture, forestry and fishing output in 2024 estimated at P129.03 billion, around 7.3% of the national total based on PSA figures cited in reports.

Zubiri specifically acknowledged the EU’s continuing support for Bukidnon’s growing coffee sector, and noted that some of the coffee farms and products showcased during an exhibit held at the Kaamulan Open Theater were developed through EU-backed partnerships with local cooperatives.

He said the delegation also expressed readiness to strengthen that support moving forward, especially for programs that strengthen farmers’ incomes, improve quality standards, and widen market access.

Also joining the EU Ambassadors’ visit delegation were EU Ambassador Santoro’s spouse, Mme. Claudia Batacchi; H.E. Dr. Titanilla Toth of Hungary; H.E. Raduta Dana Matache of Romania, with spouse Mr. Constantin Matache; H.E. Marielle Geraedts of the Netherlands; and H.E. Dr. Johann Brieger of Austria, with spouse Mme. Roswitha Brieger.

Also present were H.E. Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin of Denmark, with spouse Mme. Eva Wollerup Fischer Mellbin; H.E. Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke of Germany, with spouse Mme. Marina Pfaffernoschke; H.E. Marie Fontanel of France; H.E. Karel Hejc of the Czech Republic, with spouse Mme. Michelle Louise Hejcova; H.E. Davide Giglio of Italy, with spouse Dr. Anna Lisa Ghini; and H.E. Emma Hickey of Ireland.

H.E. Saija Nurminen of Finland; H.E. Anna Ferry of Sweden; H.E. Vladislava Iordanova of Belgium with spouse Mr. Jonas Decloedt; Ms. Anna Krzak-Danel, Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim of Poland with spouse Consul Tomasz Danel; and Mr. Pedro Llinas, Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim of Spain rounded up the foreign guests.

Also part of the EU delegation were Ms. Agata Nowicka, deputy head of mission; Mr. Frederic Grillet, political officer; Ms. Alicia Louro Pena, programme manager; Ms. Alix Wurdak, programme manager; and Ms. Pauline Michelle Quinto, assistant to the Political, Press and Information Section.

Zubiri said the visit was also a chance to show the broader story of Northern Mindanao as a region that is open to tourism and steadily strengthening its peace and security environment.

"Pinapakita natin sa mundo na open ang Northern Mindanao sa turismo at sa opportunities, at higit sa lahat, safe at tahimik ang mga lalawigan natin (We are showing the world that Northern Mindanao is open to tourism and opportunities, and above all, that our provinces are safe and peaceful)," he noted.

“Unti-unti na rin sanang mawala sa travel notice ng mga bansang gaya ng US at Canada ang Northern Mindanao, lalo na’t mismong mga spouses ng EU ambassadors ang nag-tour sa Bukidnon at dumaan sa Del Monte pineapple plantation, Dahilayan Mountain Resort at Communal Ranch (Gradually, Northern Mindanao should also be removed from the travel advisories of countries like the US and Canada, especially since even the spouses of EU ambassadors toured Bukidnon and visited the Del Monte pineapple plantation, Dahilayan Mountain Resort, and Communal Ranch)," he further said.