Spanish Cooperation Representative Natalia Zapata Visits the Philippines to Strengthen Development Initiatives

09/06/2025 - 06:33

News categories

Summary of the news

From May 25 to June 4, Natalia Zapata, Head of Cooperation for the Philippines based in Madrid, visited the country to oversee ongoing development efforts supported by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). The extended mission aimed to reaffirm Spain’s commitment to inclusive development, climate action, and women’s empowerment through close collaboration with local partners and communities. She was warmly welcomed by the team of the Spanish Cooperation Office (OCE) in the Philippines, who actively supported the different stages of the mission.

On May 27 and 28, AECID delegates, together with representatives from Cáritas Española, visited project sites in Baguio and Benguet as part of the Green Luzon Project. Accompanied by Caritas Philippines and the Diocesan Social Action Center of Baguio, the group toured vegetable farming sites and an agro-enterprise consolidation facility in Barangays Tuel (Tublay) and Sagpat (Kibungan). These initiatives aim to strengthen farmers’ livelihoods and promote sustainable agricultural practices. The team also evaluated disaster risk reduction equipment provided to communities and visited the Sagpat communal forest, where ongoing reforestation efforts include the planting of 750 trees toward an annual goal of 1,000.

From June 1 to 3, the field visit continued in the Bicol region, where the delegation engaged with local stakeholders in Naga and Legazpi, following up on community-led projects implemented by Educo and Fundación InteRed. In Albay, Educo focuses on empowering women through safe, inclusive spaces that promote leadership and participation in local governance. In Camarines Sur, Fundación InteRed works with youth—especially young women—to drive sustainable rural development grounded in gender equality and human rights.

Throughout the Bicol mission, the AECID team met with project participants and local government units, reinforcing the importance of multi-sectoral partnerships in achieving long-term, inclusive progress. They acknowledged the dedication of local partners and reiterated AECID’s ongoing support for initiatives that tackle systemic inequality and promote community resilience.

The mission also featured a working breakfast with Spanish NGOs and their local counterparts in the Philippines, including Acción Contra el Hambre, Fundación CODESPA, Cruz Roja Española, and Acciona. The gathering served as a platform to exchange insights, discuss challenges, and explore areas for deeper collaboration, highlighting a shared commitment to uphold human dignity and foster equity across underserved communities.

This mission highlights the importance of trust, alignment of objectives, and active participation at the community level for successful cooperation. AECID’s presence in the country demonstrated Spain’s enduring support for a just and sustainable future in partnership with the Filipino people.