The Department of Agriculture (DA) will introduce a standardized set of criteria within its multi-year budget planning process to attain efficiency in allocating resources for projects aimed at enhancing the agriculture and fisheries sector.
The criteria system seeks to evaluate programs, activities, and projects based on their respective contributions to achieving the agency’s long-term goals.
Under the new policy, projects under the DA must be aligned with critical areas such as poverty reduction, enhancing nutrition, and sustainable economic growth.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, in particular, stressed the need to assess if said projects could help reduce dependency on food imports.
Laurel added that the “cornerstone” of the criteria is to ensure a more equitable environment for farmers and fisherfolk, thereby improving their income and overall welfare.
“Through this initiative, we aim to maximize the benefits of our investments to ensure food security for the nation and uplift the lives of our rural heroes—our farmers and fisherfolk,” he said.
Under the national budget this year, the DA received an allocation of ₱237.4 billion.
While its 2025 budget is an increase from the proposed ₱211.3 billion, this is a massive decrease from the department’s initial request of ₱513 billion.
Given these limited resources, Laurel said evaluation on programs and their budget will also focus on cost efficiency and feasibility.
He called on the agency’s officials to abandon the “business-as-usual” approach and pursue initiatives that will transform agriculture.
“Through careful planning and focused execution, the department is committed to building a stronger, more sustainable, and resilient agricultural economy for future generations,” noted Laurel.
The DA’s new budget planning scheme is aligned with the Marcos administration’s goal of reducing the country’s poverty rate from 18 percent to nine percent by 2028.
In this context, the criteria system not only strives to foster efficient resource allocation but also serves as a tool to drive the government’s goals forward.