Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced the construction of a P96.7 million ice plant at the Bulan Fish Port Complex in Sorsogon, designed to lift production and incomes across the Bicol Region’s fisheries sector. Unveiled in a statement on Monday, the facility can produce 60 metric tons of ice daily and store up to 120 metric tons, aimed at keeping catch fresh, cutting post-harvest waste, and strengthening the entire fisheries value chain.

Law enforcers dismantled an unregistered fertilizer manufacturing facility in Barangay Sta. Monica, Rizal, Nueva Ecija in a joint raid on July 15. They seized 500 bags of fake fertilizer, 21 granulator machines and several trucks valued at about P900,000.

Nearly half a million Filipino fisherfolk depend on the West Philippine Sea for their livelihoods, making the area critical not only for territorial claims but also for the country’s economy and food supply. Speaking at the 10th anniversary commemoration of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther E. Bayate emphasized that securing fishing communities is key to strengthening food security, economic resilience and national sovereign rights. Official records show 453,246 registered fisherfolk live in areas along the West Philippine Sea, with the largest groups in Palawan, followed by Pangasinan, Batangas and Cavite.

A second commercial shipment of fresh Philippine saba bananas has arrived in Auckland, further strengthening the country’s position in the New Zealand market and showing growing international demand for this locally popular fruit.

The Department of Agriculture has announced two key measures to support rice farmers: a higher minimum purchase price for palay and a temporary ban on rice import arrivals in Iloilo during the upcoming harvest period.