Secretary De los Reyes asserted that agrarian reform has made lives better for Filipinos. Mandated under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Act of 1988 (CARP), DAR has assured ownership of land and access to technical support and legal services. The Secretary explained, "Based on our statistics, most of the land under the scope of DAR has been distributed to small landowners." The Secretary stated that DAR is in the process of digitizing a landholding database and developing a technology-enabled framework to expedite resolution of land disputes. 

The agriculture sector employs over 30 percent of the Philippine workforce yet contributes less than 15 percent to GDP.  Citing the transition report he presented at the Annual World Bank Conference on Land and Poverty, Secretary De los Reyes, emphasized the need to improve profits of small farmers. Lack of access to affordable credit has limited farmers' resources. The Secretary described the government's role as enabler providing assistance to more adaptable and business-minded farmers, and improving collective capacities of farmers' cooperatives.

Undersecretary Segfredo R. Serrano said that under the Aquino administration, seed and farm subsidies were eliminated, with funds diverted to infrastructure - building farm to market roads and irrigation facilities that can withstand climate fluctuation. To prepare for projected temperature and sea-level rise, Undersecretary Serrano stressed the need to align development policies and research with scenarios 5-7 years onward. The effects of slow onset of climate change can be devastating to agricultural productivity in the long term. 

Citing President Aquino's address at the 2013 launch of DOST's Advance Materials Testing Lab, Undersecretary Amelia Guevara reiterated that "Innovation is the engine of any modern economy; and one look around the Philippines tells us that we have the natural inventiveness to be one of the leaders in this regard."  She challenged Filipinos to chart their own course and become self-reliant. The Philippines has come a long way towards becoming "technology self-reliant." Initially relying on foreign technology adapted to local needs, the country is set to launch the first Filipino-made micro satellite. 

She presented several DOST innovations serving farmers and fishermen.  NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) was conceptualized in collaboration with weather agencies and the University of the Philippines, as an early warning tool for flooding and typhoon preparedness. The Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment Mitigation (DREAM) program completed mapping 18 of the country's major river systems by flying LiDAR scanners mounted on small aircraft over the various bodies of water. DIWATA is the first all-Filipino assembled micro satellite that includes improved weather detection and forecasts, disaster risk management, detecting agricultural growth patterns, and the monitoring of forest cover, mining, protection of cultural and historical sites, and the territorial borders of the Philippines. The future of innovative solutions rests on effective collaborative efforts by agencies, universities, innovation centers, and returning Filipino scientists under DOST's Balik Scientists Program.

Undersecretary Amelia P. Guevara Department of Science and Technology

All-Filipino Scientists and Engineers  with DIWATA 1 Micro Satellite

Food processing, a key component of the manufacturing industry, is a major growth sector as demand for packaged food is fueled by rising income and urbanization.  By linking manufacturing to agricultural products such as cacao, coffee, rubber, and coconut-based products, processed food has moved up the value chain, explained DTI Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo. Regional development councils play a key role as a coordinating mechanism for various government agencies - Agriculture, Manufacturing, Science and Technology, and Trade - in the development of products from raw supply to packaging. Undersecretary Rodolfo estimates that 2,000 new food products are introduced annually.

Economic reforms continue to boost the investment climate and economic growth.  Undersecretary Rodolfo emphasized the importance of bilateral trade agreements and regional economic agreements. According to Undersecretary Rodolfo, in 2015, 23 percent of exports represent trade to Japan, ASEAN countries account for 15 percent, the United States 14 percent, China 13 percent, the European Union 11 percent, South Korea 4 percent, Australia and New Zealand about 1.2 percent and India 1 percent. The Philippines conducted technical consultations with TPP countries, exploring trade agreements with Canada, Chile and Mexico. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to the country improved from $1 billion in 2010 to $6 billion in 2014. In the near term, it seeks to attract more foreign capital to finance infrastructure projects.

In his closing remarks, US-Philippines Society President Ambassador John F. Maisto thanked the panel saying, "Their admirable dedication to public service, professionalism,and competence has contributed to a stronger and more dynamic US-Philippines relationship."  

The event was organized by the US-Philippines Society in partnership with the Philippine Embassy.

Undersecretary for the Industry Development Group Ceferino Rodolfo, Jr. Department of Trade and Industry	US-Philippines Society President Amb. John F. Maisto thanks the panelists during his closing remarks.
(L-R) Commercial Counselor Raymond A. Batac, Economic Minister JV Gonzaga, Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, Jr., US-Philippines Society Executive Director Hank Hendrickson, Undersecretary Amelia Guevara, Secretary Virgilio De Los Reyes, US-Philippines President Amb. John F. Maisto, Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano, and Agriculture Attache Josyline Javelosa	Economic Minister Jose Victor Chan Gonzaga  welcomes the panelists.