The Department of Agriculture (DA) expects farm output to slow in the second half of the year as the Southwest Monsoon and a possible strong El Niño threaten production. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the impact may be less severe than earlier feared because the peak of the dry spell is now expected in January, rather than November. “So far, so good naman tayo. No need to panic. We have enough food supply. Prices are actually stable,” Tiu Laurel said. The DA is preparing measures to help farmers cope with worsening weather, including solar-powered irrigation systems, solar pumps and aerators for fish ponds. It is also distributing quality seeds, fertilizers and bio-fertilizers to help sustain production. Tiu Laurel said the government is also expanding KADIWA ng Pangulo, which allows farmer cooperatives to sell directly to consumers. More cooperatives are joining the program each year, he said, giving farmers additional markets while helping reduce costs between producers and consumers. The agriculture chief also downplayed concerns over recent food-price increases, saying some of the rise reflects unusually low prices a year earlier rather than a sharp deterioration in food supply. Food prices were a major driver of headline inflation, which climbed to 7.2% in September, matching the level recorded in April at the start of the Middle East conflict. Tiu Laurel said palay prices, in particular, had fallen sharply a year earlier, hurting farmers. Current prices therefore represent a healthier level for producers rather than excessive increases for consumers, he said. Staple food prices remain generally stable, supported by adequate supplies, according to the DA. The bigger concern is what happens if weather disruptions persist. A prolonged dry spell could reduce harvests and eventually put upward pressure on food prices, even if supplies remain comfortable in the near term. For now, the government is betting that irrigation support, farm inputs and direct-market programs such as KADIWA can help cushion farmers and keep food supplies steady as weather risks build.
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PRSP returns to Cebu, appoints first Visayas chair to strengthen regional voice
PRSP returns to Cebu, appoints first Visayas chair to strengthen regional voice
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After years of keeping its main activities centered in Metro Manila, the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) is making history this October 14 as it returns to Cebu and names its first-ever Visayas Regional Chair in its 69-year existence.
Titled “STEWARDING PRSP: Amplifying Voices, Building Trust,” the one-day event will gather PR and communications professionals, government and corporate leaders, educators, and students to push for stronger regional representation, better professional standards, and truthful, responsible communication across the country.
Doris Isubal-Mongaya, founder and chief executive officer of PRWorks Inc., will officially take on the role of PRSP Visayas Regional Chair — a milestone meant to give Visayas-based practitioners a clearer, louder voice within the national PR community. New members from the region will also be formally inducted into the society during the gathering.
“PR cannot be Manila-centric if we want to build a stronger profession,” said PRSP President Ana Pista, APR. “The stories, challenges and expertise of our regions must be part of the national conversation. This is what it means to steward PRSP.”
The event will run across two venues. The morning session, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Event Screen 2 on the third floor of SM City Cebu, focuses on advancing professional practice through the PRSP Professional Development Program. Topics will cover measuring communications effectiveness, handling crises, and communicating responsibly — including the ethical use of artificial intelligence — led by industry experts Jeremiah Rodrigues of CARMA, Paul Michael de Quiros of Full Circle Communications, and Pista herself. This session is open to government and corporate professionals with a registration fee of ₱2,000.
In the afternoon, the program shifts to the THINKaMuna: Media and Truth Forum, held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cube Wing Atrium of SM Seaside City Cebu in partnership with MediaQuest Holdings Inc. and THINKaMuna Pilipinas. The free public forum will tackle the spread of misinformation and disinformation and their impact on public trust. Speakers include Mon Isberto of MediaQuest and THINKaMuna Pilipinas, Bea Coronel of TikTok Philippines, and closing remarks from Pista. It is open to all students, educators, and industry practitioners.
This Cebu gathering marks a key step in PRSP’s broader push to expand its regional footprint — bringing professional training, leadership opportunities, and advocacy closer to those working outside Metro Manila. The event is made possible through the support of sponsors PMFTC Inc., Meralco, and CARMA.
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