Agriculture

The Department of Energy (DOE) has confirmed that nine companies have passed the initial evaluation for offshore wind projects under the fifth Green Energy Auction (GEA5), down from more than 20 original applicants.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has confirmed growing calls to amend Joint Administrative Order No. 2008-1, which limits approved bioethanol raw materials to only sugarcane and molasses, to include corn as an additional feedstock. The proposal remains under review and awaits final decision from the National Biofuels Board, with officials noting the move is being reconsidered amid an ongoing fuel crisis.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has removed restrictions on Argentina poultry imports under Department Circular No. 29, Series of 2026, signed by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and released publicly recently. The ban—covering live birds, meat, chicks, eggs, and semen—was first imposed due to concerns over highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). It was lifted after official reports confirmed the disease outbreak in Argentina had ended with no new cases, and DA assessments found the risk of contamination is now negligible.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have intercepted more than P7 million worth of smuggled fresh carrots concealed inside shipments falsely declared as processed food products, dealing another blow to agricultural smuggling operations that authorities say threaten both consumers and local farmers.

The National Dairy Authority (NDA) expects to finalize the implementing rules for its expanded role under Republic Act 12308, or the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, before October this year. The law allocates P20 billion annually over 10 years to strengthen the country’s livestock sector.