A vital strategic planning workshop to scale up the Ube Processing Facility in Eastern Visayas was held at Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on September 1-5. With the theme, The Purple Economy: Unlocking the Global Potentials of the Ube Value Chain in Eastern Visayas, this activity specifically aims to strengthen private-public partnerships and formulate strategic plans to enhance the ube value chain in the region.

Over the course of five days, key stakeholders, including Fatima MPC, Filipino Ube House, OMMRO, ORSEGRO MPC, and PARA Coop, alongside public sector entities including Dir. Joseph Manicad, HVCDP DA-NPMO, TESDA 8 Dir. Dan Navarro, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), representatives from the various divisions of the Department of Agriculture (DA), RAFC Chairperson Engr. Mike Pedroso, VSU-Philrootcrops, VSU Biodiversity Research Center, and TESDA, convened to figure out the Ube Value Chain, identify key players, conduct a SWOT Analysis to understand the current landscape, and establish visions and goals.

This strategic planning is a pivotal step towards unleashing the hidden global potential of the ube value chain in the region. By strengthening collaboration and tactical planning among main stakeholders, the region is poised to expand its economic opportunities. With the exponential rise in the international demand of ube, this initiative could position the region as a crucial entity in the global ube market.

To ensure that the goals envisioned will be translated into reality, the group established an interim Ube Council of Eastern Visayas whose principal role is to chart a brighter course for the Ube industry in the region.

In the long run, this crucial endeavor is set to create a thriving purple economy in Eastern Visayas, propelled by innovation, deepened collaboration, and a collective vision for inclusive growth.