In response to the World Bank’s invitation to the Closed Door Ministerial Roundtable Meeting in Washington DC on October 13, 2022, and in attendance to the October 14, 2022 Dialogue on Philippine Economy, the Department of Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban delegated the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) Officer-in-Charge (OIC)  Director Gina P. Nilo, Ph.D. to represent the Philippine Agriculture Department.  The Closed Door Ministerial Roundtable Meeting centered on the theme, “Resilient Food Security Through Repurposed Agricultural Support.”

During the Closed Door Ministerial Roundtable Meeting on 13 October 2022, Dr. Nilo shared the Philippines’ key messages in line with the meeting theme, underscoring the importance of empowerment of the farmers and fisherfolk being the main actors of change in regards to food production. Pertinent to the 2030 Philippine Ambition on Policy Action, Dr. Nilo added that the DA-BSWM included the sustenance of Soil Health and ensuring water availability and efficiency in the utilization of such resources.

In the summary provided by the meeting moderator, recognized was the Philippine intervention to highlight the importance of soil and water in the theme Resilient Food Security. As the meeting concluded, World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development and meeting chairman, Juergen Voegele, highlighted to SCALE-UP the actions and initiatives, among others.

On 14 October 2022, the BSWM OIC-Director also represented the Department of Agriculture during the Dialogue on Philippine Economy. Said Dialogue was attended by His Excellency Jose Manuel G. Romualdez – Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the United States of America, Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno – Department of Finance, Governor Felipe M. Medalla – Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman – Department of Budget and Management, Assistant Secretary Sarah Lynne S. Daway-Ducanes – National Economic and Development Authority, and several other participants from the Philippines.

This Dialogue focused on the discussion on topics about the Monetary, External, and Financial Sector Performance and Outlook: Safeguarding Price Stability Amid Challenging Times, as presented by Governor Medalla; Expenditure Performance and Program: Economic Transformation Towards Inclusivity and Sustainability, as presented by Secretary Pangandaman; Overview of the Philippine Economic Agenda, as presented by Assistant Secretary Daway-Ducanes.  The event commenced with the Welcome Remarks by Ambassador Romualdez, followed by the Keynote Message from Secretary Diokno. The attendance in the two activities provided various opportunities for the Agriculture Department which were submitted as recommendations to the Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban.