The Department of Agriculture (DA) will investigate the possible involvement of its own officials in several non-existent farm-to-market road (FMR) projects discovered in Mindanao. Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said there is a strong possibility that some officials are involved in...
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian questioned on Monday, Oct. 27, the 104 percent increase of farm-to-market road (FMR) appropriations from P16 billion to P32 billion under the General Appropriations Bill (GAB). "Kasi nakita po namin sa GAB na lumaki ang pondo ng FMR from P16 billion to P32 billion...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is preparing to slap show-cause orders against retailers who are selling imported rice beyond the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of ₱43 per kilo. Despite the ongoing suspension of rice importation, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has declared Batanes as an organic farming practitioner province, recognizing its organic agriculture sector and local policies that promote sustainable farming. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel signed Administrative Order No. 8 to formalize the...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) would build 300 more rice mills in the next three years, as the government seeks to reverse post-harvest losses by improving the rice sector’s drying capacity. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said his agency has earmarked ₱3.3 billion until 2028 to...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has stood firm on its decision not to import sugar for the current milling season in a bid to stabilize sugar prices that have been weighed down by market uncertainty. In a statement on Wednesday, Oct. 15, the DA reiterated the government policy earlier issued by...
The Philippines is asking the assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help address 27 years of developmental gaps in the country’s agriculture sector, fueled by the government’s funding shortfalls, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. In a statement, DA Secretary...
With the upcoming accession of Timor-Leste into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines seeks to secure a partnership that will strengthen both countries’ agriculture sectors in a move to fortify the region’s food security. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel,...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is willing to take over the construction of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) following the discovery of non-existent and overpriced projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways ' (DPWH) watch. Responding to the challenge from the Senate Committee on...
The Philippine government is willing to grant concessions to Japan in the hope of introducing reforms to the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), particularly to address high tariffs on its banana exports—a market stronghold under threat from countries with lower tariffs....
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan urged local government units (LGUs) to be more proactive in setting a floor price for government purchase of unhusked rice or "palay" as he works with Malacañang and the Department of Agriculture (DA) in drafting an executive order (EO) to stabilize the...
The newly signed law creating an annual ₱20-billion fund to strengthen the competitiveness of the local livestock and poultry sectors is expected to curb the soaring prices of pork, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel. Three days before it was expected to lapse into law,...
