In a groundbreaking move, the municipality of San Mateo has passed an ordinance aimed at ensuring the availability of safer, higher-quality rice for its residents. The ordinance, approved by the local government and supported by the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), sets a precedent for the country in rice quality assurance.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will implement a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork in wet markets across the National Capital Region starting 10 March. The new price cap will set pork liempo at P380 per kilogram, kasim and pigue at P350 per kilogram, and "sabit ulo" (the price traders pass to retailers) at P300 per kilogram.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the importation ban on poultry products from France while imposing a temporary ban on imports from the US states of Indiana, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has declared Camarines Norte free from avian influenza (AI), following effective containment measures and surveillance. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed the resolution of the outbreak, which began last December when the H5N2 strain of AI was detected on a backyard duck farm in Talisay.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. led an inspection on Monday of one-and-a-half dozen container vans suspected of being loaded with hundreds of tons of frozen fish, but was declared by importers as processed plant-based commodities. A earlier spot check conducted by the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Plant Industry and the Bureau of Customs on two of the 19 40-foot container vans revealed boxes of frozen mackerels locally known as tamban, and frozen round scad-locally known as galunggong rather than the frozen fried taro sticks, sweet potato balls, and assorted food products from China, as declared in the shipping manifest.
The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) said it will continue providing fuel assistance to fisherfolk nationwide as global oil prices rise.
The House of Representatives has endorsed a resolution pushing for the proclamation of the proposed Bicol Ecozone in Pantao, Libon, Albay as the fifth public economic zone under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), signaling a major step toward boosting trade along the country’s eastern seaboard.
The Asian Eye Institute has announced the expansion of its branch at TriNoma, introducing a larger and upgraded facility aimed at improving access to eye care services for patients in Quezon City, Northern Metro Manila, and nearby areas.
Appointed as president and chief executive officer of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation effective July 1, 2025, Reginald Anthony “Reggie” Cariaso leads one of the country's largest universal banks at a time of rapid digital transformation.