CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A delegation of European Union ambassadors is planning a return visit to Cagayan de Oro to further explore the city’s tourism assets, with local officials eyeing a potential breakthrough for a distinctly Kagay-anon product—chocolate brandy—to reach European markets.
A Historic First Visit Opens Doors
Sixteen EU ambassadors, led by EU Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Massimo Santoro, made their first joint visit to Northern Mindanao from January 14 to 16, 2026 . The delegation toured the city’s historical sites, including Gaston Park and the City Museum, and was welcomed by Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy at City Hall .
The visit highlighted the EU’s commitment to Mindanao, where it has invested over ₱9.6 billion (€140 million) since 2020, making it one of the region’s largest grant contributors .
A Return Visit on the Horizon
City Tourism Officer Marky Jalapadan confirmed that the EU envoys expressed strong interest in returning to Northern Mindanao for a longer stay . The planned return will focus on deeper exploration of eco-tourism sites, local products, and emerging destinations—not just in Cagayan de Oro but also in nearby Bukidnon and Camiguin provinces .
“The envoys expressed strong interest in discovering more of the city and its neighboring provinces, particularly their eco-tourism sites, local products and emerging destinations,” Jalapadan said .
Chocolate Brandy: A Sweet Export Prospect
Among the local products that caught the delegation’s attention was a Cagayan de Oro-made chocolate brandy—a specialty not currently available in Europe . Ambassador Santoro and several EU envoys praised the beverage’s unique taste, sparking discussions about potential export opportunities.
“Given the strong interest and positive reception from the EU envoys, there is a real possibility that the Cagayan de Oro-made chocolate brandy could be exported to Europe in the near future,” Jalapadan said, noting that most delegation members enjoyed the product during their visit .
Tourism and Trade Go Hand in Hand
The potential export of chocolate brandy represents a tangible outcome of the EU’s broader engagement with the region. The January visit aimed to reaffirm the EU’s role as a long-term partner of the Philippines in advancing sustainable development and economic independence for Filipinos .
During their stay, the ambassadors also met with farmers demonstrating climate-smart agricultural practices, as Bukidnon positions itself to become the Arabica coffee capital of the Philippines under the EU-supported SPADE project .
What This Means for CDO Tourism
For Cagayan de Oro, the planned return of EU envoys signals growing international interest in the city’s tourism offerings. Beyond whitewater rafting, the city is positioning itself as a hub for eco-tourism, cultural heritage, and locally crafted products with global appeal.
As Jalapadan noted, the positive reception from the EU delegation opens a window for Cagayan de Oro to step onto the European stage—not just as a travel destination, but as a source of uniquely Filipino products.
