The APTERR Tier 1 programme is a commercial-based humanitarian purposed programme under the APTERR mechanism. It is a programme that ensure food security and cooperation between the “Supplying Country” and the “Demanding Country”. The Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for the Release and Utilisation of Earmarked Stocks under the Tier 1 Programme of ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve between the Philippines and Japan was signed and commenced on 11 October 2018 in Hanoi, Viet Nam which was coincided with the 18th Meeting of ASEAN Plus Three Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry.
The MoC for Tier 1 programme was signed by Engr. Ariel Cayana, Undersecretary of Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanisation of the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines who was representing the National Food Authority of the Philippines (NFA). Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) was represented by Mr. Takashi Amo, Director General of Crop Production Bureau.
The signing ceremony also saw Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Head of Food, Agriculture and Forestry Division of the ASEAN Secretariat and Mr. Chanpithya Shimphalee, General Manager of the APTERR Secretariat in attendance.