Agriculture
DA rolls out P20 rice program in Bien Unido, Bohol
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the official launch in this town today of his flagship food program, “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”, an initiative that makes the P20-per-kilo rice available to thousands of qualified beneficiaries. This flagship initiative of President Marcos carried out by the Department of Agriculture is a key step toward delivering affordable food to every Filipino household.
August rice stocks up, corn lower—PSA
The Philippines’ total rice inventory at the start of August was estimated at 2.32 million metric tons, up 25 percent compared to the 1.86 million metric tons recorded in the same period last year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
FMR Equity Act could cut 36,000-KM road backlog, DA says
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is urging Congress to pass the proposed Farm-to-Market Roads (FMR) Development and Equity Act, aimed at addressing a 36,000-kilometer backlog in rural road infrastructure.
DA bracing for criticisms ahead of NFA auction
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. is steeling himself for a political firestorm—and a social media onslaught—as the National Food Authority (NFA) prepares to auction off up to 60,000 metric tons of aging rice stocks.
DA intensifies anti-smuggling drive, urges law reforms for stronger enforcement
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ramped up efforts to combat agricultural smuggling, with P3.78 billion worth of illegal goods seized since January 2024. However, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told the Senate that enforcement gaps in the current law are hindering progress.
