Davao City – Belgium has established its second honorary consulate in the Philippines, selecting Davao City as the site due to the region’s strong economic growth and industrial potential. The newly opened consulate aims to foster deeper economic and cultural ties between Belgium and the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao.
Leonilo Claudio, Belgium’s Honorary Consul for Mindanao and president of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI), highlighted Davao’s rapid development as a key reason for selecting the city. Speaking at the “Habi at Kape” forum on September 25, 2024, Claudio noted that Mindanao, especially the Davao Region, has become a significant commercial hub, making it a prime location for business ventures and international collaboration.
“This is the first Belgian consulate in Mindanao and only the second in the Philippines, after Cebu City,” Claudio said. He added that the consulate will strengthen Belgium’s presence in the region and promote bilateral relations. The consulate, which officially opened on September 19, is located on the second floor of Ecoland Medical Center along Quimpo Boulevard in Davao City.
Belgium’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Michel Parys, emphasized the consulate’s role in highlighting the economic potential of Mindanao to Belgian businesses. “I want Belgian companies to know that doing business in the Philippines is not just about Manila; they have to look at other regions, like Mindanao,” Parys said. He mentioned that Belgian companies, particularly those in the chocolate industry, have already recognized Davao’s importance, as the city is a major cacao producer.
Belgium has long-standing diplomatic relations with the Philippines, dating back to July 4, 1946. However, connections between the two countries can be traced even further back to the colonial period under Belgium’s King Leopold II. Today, Belgium continues to see potential in Mindanao’s agricultural exports, especially cacao, which plays a vital role in the production of Belgian chocolates.
The consulate also aims to serve Belgian nationals in Mindanao, offering support to those who may encounter difficulties while traveling or working in the region. “Having a consulate here means we can more quickly assist Belgians who may face medical issues, lose their passport, or encounter other challenges,” Parys explained.
Davao City is now home to 22 honorary consulates, 12 of which represent European countries, making it a key diplomatic hub in the region. The European countries with consulates in Davao include Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Israel, Italy, and Kazakhstan, among others. Finland’s Honorary Consul in Davao, Tony Peralta, revealed that Romania and Sweden are also set to open consulates in the city later this year.
As part of its mission, the Belgian consulate will work to strengthen cultural, educational, and economic exchanges between Belgium and the Philippines. Claudio noted the consulate’s focus on boosting export-import transactions and attracting Belgian investors to Mindanao. One initiative under consideration is the development of a cacao processing facility in Davao, which would enable local farmers to add value to their cacao products before exporting them.
“Davao is known as the cacao capital of the Philippines, and much of the cacao harvested here is exported to Belgium, where it is transformed into chocolate. Establishing a processing facility here would add value to our local production and benefit both the farmers and the economy,” Claudio said.
The opening of the consulate in Davao marks another milestone in the strengthening of international ties with Mindanao, further cementing the region’s role as a key player in the Philippines’ economic and cultural landscape.
