The Department of Agriculture (DA) will not ban rice imports for the rest of the year, choosing instead to build up emergency food reserves ahead of expected El Niño weather disruptions.
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and 15 government agencies have rolled out Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2026, introducing a unified digital permitting system designed to significantly reduce documentary requirements and processing time for housing projects as the government moves to accelerate residential construction.
Philippine palay production surged to a record second-quarter high, giving the government a timely boost in its bid to stabilize rice prices, although an expected weather-induced slowdown later this year underscores the fragile nature of the gains.