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European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas on Friday met with Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro in Metro Manila.

The Philippine Coconut Authority is moving quickly to secure extra funds to keep its goal of planting 100 million coconuts by 2028 on track. This forms the core of the Accelerated Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan, the government’s main strategy to rebuild one of the country’s most important agricultural sectors and boost earnings for millions of coconut farming households.

Philippine exporters are warning that the US decision to impose an additional 12.5 percent tariff on most Philippine exports could weaken the country's competitiveness in its largest export market, putting pressure on manufacturers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) already navigating a volatile global trade environment.

Since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office in June 2022, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has implemented wide-ranging reforms that have stabilized sugar supply, tempered price fluctuations, and strengthened support for thousands of sugarcane farmers even amid weather disruptions and shifting global market conditions. The agency’s approach combines stricter market oversight, carefully calibrated import volumes, and investments in farm modernization to ensure adequate supplies for consumers while shielding producers from steep drops in farmgate prices.

The Philippines has concluded negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Chile, securing its first free trade agreement with a Latin American country as Manila steps up efforts to diversify export markets and strengthen supply chains.