Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza courted ambassadors from 22 countries who joined last week’s Familiarization Visit organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the provincial government of Catanduanes.
In his welcome message at the Capitol Dome following the group’s arrival on Feb. 6, 2026, Gov. Azanza told the diplomats that with agriculture as the province’s primary livelihood, there is a need for modern technology, advanced farming practices, and innovation, particularly those successfully implemented in their respective countries.
He also cited opportunities in solar power, disaster risk reduction and management technologies, and support for the abaca industry, which remains a cornerstone of the local economy.
“The investments you will make in Catanduanes through your entrepreneurs and your people are most needed here,” the chief executive stressed, adding that it is in the province where their investments will have the greatest impact in changing lives of many islanders.
cornerstone of the local economy.
“We are a growing economy. We have just opened ourselves for business,” he said. “Anyone who chooses to invest here will reap the best and highest returns and advantages.”
Azanza cited the proposed bridge that would connect the island to the Bicol mainland as one development that would significantly accelerate growth as it would greatly enhance mobility, trade, and access to markets.
He highlighted a longstanding imbalance in the abaca industry, saying that the island supplies at least 85 percent of the world’s abaca requirements in raw material but what goes back to local farmers is just around 10 percent.
“This is something we want to reverse,” the governor stated, sharing the provincial government’s intention to establish local processing and production.
Sharing his vision of elevating the island province’s global profile, Azanza expressed hope that the ambassadors’ visit would inspire them to share Catanduanes’ story with their investors, business partners, and communities, emphasizing the province’s hardworking people and the province’s need for genuine, sustainable investments that would help overcome long-standing barriers to development.
development.
Showcasing the province’s rich cultural heritage, the luncheon was enlivened by performances from the Catanduanes Cultural Troupe, Catanduanes State University’s Hablon Dawani, and Koro Hubilyo, offering the visiting dignitaries a vibrant glimpse of the island’s traditions and artistic excellence.
The gathering also served as a strategic platform for project proponents from key institutions—including the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), Catanduanes State University, Virac Water District, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist—to present project proposals and explore potential partnerships and investment opportunities with the foreign delegates.
The international delegation was composed of: Bangladesh Ambassador Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, his spouse, son and daughter; China Ambassador Quan Jin and his assistant; European Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro and his spouse; Finland Ambassador Saija Nurminen and her spouse; France Deputy Head of Mission Fabrice Place; Germany Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke and his spouse; Ireland Ambassador Emma Hickey and her spouse; Japan Ambassador Kazuya Endo and his spouse; Malaysia Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino; Myanmar Charge d’ Affaires Soe Ko Ko; New Zealand Ambassador Catherine McIntosh; Incoming Poland Ambassador Katarzyna Wilkowiecka; Romania Ambassador Raduta Matache and her spouse; Russia Ambassador Marat Pavlov and his spouse; Singapore Ambassador Constance See Sin Yuan Angelita; Slovenia Ambassador Smiljana Knez and her spouse; South Africa Ambassador Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe; Sri Lanka Ambassador Chanaka Harsha Talpahewa; Sweden Ambassador Anna Pernilla Ferry and her spouse; Switzerland Ambassador Nicolas Bruehl; Thailand Ambassador Makawadee Sumitmor; and Vietnam Ambassador Dr. Lai Thai Binh and her spouse.
DFA personnel were led by DFA Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Angelica C. Escalona of the Office of Public Diplomacy and five other officials; Assistant Secretary Ariel R. Penaranda of the Office of Protocol; Assistant Secretary Anne J. Louis of the Office of Consular Affairs; and Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis M. Alferez of the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs, who brought his spouse.
All told, the actual number of diplomats and DFA officials hosted by the province at E-Crown Hotel and Resort came up to 46 based on the list furnished to the Tribune.
Aside from the trade fair and art exhibit at the Capitol lobby, the visitors was also treated to a latik cooking demo and tasting at Impling’s Special Delicacies in Virac; a visit and talk on marine conservation at the Tampad Beach sea turtle nesting site; One-Tourist, One-Tree planting at Puraran Beach Resort; sampling the indigenous clothing at Tulay ng Pag-Unlad (TUPA) ng Baras Abaca Pinukpok Production House; sumptuous lunch at East Coast Beach Resort in Baras; photo op at St. John the Baptist Church; and CatSU Abaca Technology Innovation Center agri-innovation tour.
Although there were no trade deals or investment proposals accepted during the tour, the diplomats left with positive images of Catanduanes and its people, particularly their resilience amid disasters.
Some of them promised to promote the island and its natural beauty to their respective countries, with China’s Quan Jin saying that he would invite Chinese tourists to visit the island.