Context Dispatch

The Department of Agriculture has decided to price the National Food Authority rice stocks it will sell to the public under the declared food security emergency at P35 a kilo. NFA said it plans to release 150,000 metric tons over six months if the emergency persists that long. The National Price Coordinating Council resolution that urged the DA to declare the food security emergency envisages rice price to approximate the July 2023 level, which was P45 a kilo for well-milled rice.

The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) provided crucial capacity-building support to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) through specialized training. This initiative, part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), is carried out under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)’s Technical Cooperation Project. The JCG dispatched a Mobile Cooperation Team (MCT) to offer hands-on technical guidance to the PCG personnel, including crews operating the two 44-meter class patrol vessels provided by Japan. The training focused on critical skills such as towing operations and small boat handling, directly enhancing the PCG's operational capabilities.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently marked International Customs Day 2025, emphasizing its commitment to efficiency, security, and economic growth. The event, aligned with the World Customs Organization (WCO) theme, recognized industry leaders and stakeholders advancing trade facilitation and customs modernization.

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) received 10,004 cybercrime complaints in 2024, more than three times the 3,317 reports in 2023. Victims lost nearly ₽198 million, marking the first release of data on actual losses from cybercrime. CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos attributed the increase to growing public awareness and more people reporting scams. “In previous years, many didn’t realize they were being scammed or didn’t know where to report it,” he said.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) through the BOC – Port of Davao, in coordination with local authorities, successfully intercepted 251 master cases of smuggled cigarettes valued at PhP9.861 million.