The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday hosted simultaneous Christmas “boodle fights” in eight major fish ports and landing areas nationwide as part of its Paskong Baybayin celebration honoring farmers and fisherfolk.
About 800 participants joined the communal meals in Navotas City, Cavite, General Santos City, Palawan, the Zamboanga Peninsula, Eastern Samar, Leyte Gulf, and Isabela. The event served as both a Christmas gathering and a show of government support for the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
Agriculture Secretary Tiu Laurel Jr. said the activity reflects President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s focus on food security and improving the lives of food producers. He emphasized the administration’s goal of helping farmers and fisherfolk earn better and live with dignity.
Laurel also announced that more than 20,000 extension workers will soon be deployed nationwide to provide technical guidance, production support, and training. He said the DA is expanding assistance for the fisheries sector and shifting toward data-driven policymaking to ensure sustainable benefits and better resource management.
He added that unity remains central to the sector’s growth, especially as the DA pushes to modernize production, strengthen value chains, and stabilize the food supply heading into the holidays and beyond.
