The provincial government of Guimaras is focused on building a sustainable supply chain for its sweet mangoes amid the successful test shipments to international markets.
“While we celebrate this, our priority remains building reliable, scalable export processes and a resilient supply chain to meet growing export market demand,” Provincial Economic Development Officer Francis Gentoral said in a text message on Tuesday.
Gentoral shared that Gov. Ma. Lucille Nava recently established the Guimaras Mango Development Council, a public-private sector collaboration council to address supply issues, research and development, geographic indication, private sector and investor partnerships, export marketing and investment requirement to ensure that the Guimaras mango industry captures its full economic benefits.
“The primary objective of the initiative is to map, evaluate, and stress-test the end-to-end logistics corridor, assessing the operational feasibility, transit handling, and structural integrity required to move highly perishable agricultural goods from local farms to long-haul international destinations,” the DTI Western Visayas reported on Tuesday.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported a technical test shipment of 100 kilos of fresh Guimaras mangoes to Brussels, Belgium on June 11 in coordination with the DTI Supply Chain and Logistics Group.
DTI Region 6 Regional Director Mutya Eusores said the test shipment is a critical exercise in supply chain efficiencies across borders, focusing on reducing post-harvest losses and maintaining product quality through rigorous transit management and streamlined freight handling.
The initiative is implemented through a strategic public-private collaboration aimed at optimizing agricultural supply chains.
Also on June 11, another 100 kilograms of premium Guimaras mangoes sourced from the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices-certified Kokomojo Mango Farm in Sibunag were shipped to Hong Kong to coincide with Philippine Independence Day events
The fruits were showcased to diplomats, business leaders and distinguished guests.
The test shipments are in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to enhance agricultural logistics connectivity, streamline supply chains and reduce transport bottlenecks to make local produce more resilient and competitive.
Meanwhile, Nava said the initiative marked a strategic step by the provincial government to expand market access for Guimaras growers and to evaluate logistics and commercial potential in one of Asia’s leading premium fruit markets.
“The test shipment demonstrates how collaboration between government, growers, and industry can open new opportunities and deliver better livelihoods for our communities,” she said. (PNA)
