The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that the P500-million cold storage facility in Camarines Sur is on schedule for completion by December 2025.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. is pushing to position “Bicol Cacao” as a globally recognized brand, citing the region’s ideal conditions and increasing recognition for premium beans and chocolate.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has instructed the Rice Industry Development Office (RIDO), led by Undersecretary Christopher Morales, to closely examine the apparent shift in Filipino rice preferences, as demand for imported rice—particularly Vietnamese varieties—continues to grow.
Local agricultural groups have expressed support for the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) decision to implement a 60-day rice import ban starting 1 September, aimed at protecting rice farmers in the upcoming wet season harvest. However, reactions are mixed on Vietnam’s reported plan to challenge the move before the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed ₱59.99 million worth of farm machinery, inputs, and renewable energy equipment to support agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the Caraga region, particularly in Agusan del Sur.