MBC believes it is time for business to address two paradoxical socio-economic realities: Filipinos pay among the highest food prices in the region, yet the people who produce our food are among the poorest. The Philippines is one of the world’s largest importers of key staples—especially rice—while more than two million farmers live below the poverty line. Heavy reliance on imports also puts the country’s long-term food security at risk.
RECAP: Agri and Food Security Summit 2024
In 2024, MBC launched its Agriculture Advocacy to drive two major outcomes: improve agricultural productivity and increase farmer incomes. The initial focus was on three priority initiatives:
- Partnering with cooperatives to provide training in business management and expand market access.
- Supporting logistics improvements and investments in cold storage.
- Advocating for inclusive, tech-enabled, farmer-led models of growth.
These initiatives position the business community as an active partner in building a more productive, resilient, and profitable agriculture sector.
THE ROLE OF BUSINESS IN SUPPORTING AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS
MBC believes agriculture is both a development imperative and a business opportunity. With the right partnerships, the private sector can help modernize farming, strengthen value chains, and open new markets—creating shared value for farmers, consumers, and companies alike.
In the past year, MBC members and partners have moved from discussion to action, working directly with cooperatives, piloting solutions, and laying the groundwork for scale. These efforts are now organized around eight focus areas. By focusing on these areas, MBC aims to help turn agriculture into a more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable driver of national growth—where farmers earn more, consumers pay less, and the country’s food security is strengthened.
Strengthening Farmer Organizations
Improving Logistics and Supply Chains
Accelerating Technology Adoption
Opening Direct Sourcing Channels
Encouraging Impact Investment
Replicating Proven Models
Advocating for Policy Reform
Promoting Price Transparency
THE 2026 AGRICULTURE SUMMIT
The Summit is a moment to take stock—one year after MBC’s agriculture program began. It is a time to share progress, re-assess priorities, and identify where the business community can make the greatest impact. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to secure concrete commitments from companies to support one or more of the eight focus areas. By aligning resources, expertise, and networks, MBC and its members can accelerate solutions that improve productivity, raise farmer incomes, and strengthen the nation’s food security.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Registration
Welcome Remarks and Introduction of Program
RAFAEL ONGPIN
Executive Director, MBC
Ongpin worked in the media industry, then in corporate for the Transnational Diversified Group, ABS-CBN, PhilWeb Corporation, and Alphaland Corporation.
EDGAR CHUA
Chairman, MBC Board of Trustees
Chua is the CEO of Amber Kinetics and was the former Country Chairman of Shell Pilipinas Corporation.
Part 1: Bringing Management Capability to Farmer Organizations
Understanding the need for cooperative development in the Philippines to help improve the agriculture sector, Dr. Aristotle Alip will present MBC’s Adopt-a-Cooperative model and its pilot cooperative (IMDALSA). The goal: to transform cooperatives into financially viable enterprises.
Dr. Alip will illustrate how strategic private sector interventions can unlock the potential of agriculture cooperatives.
Adopt-a-Coop: Turning Cooperatives into Competitive Enterprises
DR. JAIME ARISTOTLE ALIP
Trustee, MBC | CEO, CARD MRI
Signing of MOA with 2nd Cooperative Rice in Luzon
Part 2: Featuring Success Cases
From Pilot to Scale: Models for Agriculture Growth
Featuring pilot programs, technologies, and practical solutions improving farmer productivity, market access, and income, this session surfaces scalable approaches that bridge business discipline with farmer engagement.
MIGUEL DOMINGUEZ
President and CEO, Alsons Development and Investment Corporation
FRANCIS ESTRADA
Incorporator, Rice Impact Investment Corporation
HENRY SISON
Founder and CEO, Agro-Digital PH
WINSTON UY
Chairman and President, Universal Lead Philippines
MODERATOR:
DANIELLE DEL ROSARIO
Chief Operating Officer, Union Insulated Panel Corporation (PHINMA Group)
Part 3: Price Transparency Board
Empowering Farmers with Real-Time Prices
JOSE VICTOR PATERNO
CEO, 7-Eleven
Part 4: Fireside Chat
Turning Policy into Progress for Farmers: A Fireside Chat
SEC. FRANCISCO TIU LAUREL JR.
Department of Agriculture
MODERATOR:
MANOLITO TAYAG
Trustee and Agriculture Committee Head, MBC
Part 4: Fireside Chat with Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Secretary Kiko Laurel, and Rep. Wilfrido Enverga
Closing Remarks
Connecting Members with Agriculture Innovators
A networking session for MBC members to engage with leading agriculture enterprises and explore partnerships that can drive farmer success and value chain growth.
