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Government

DA TAKES OVER FARM-TO-MARKET PROJECTS STARTING 2026

The Department of Agriculture will take over starting 2026 from the Department of Public Works and Highways the development of farm-to-market roads—vital infrastructure that drives rural economies, lowers production costs, and brings prosperity to the countryside.  The move signals a more focused approach to agricultural lifelines, ensuring every kilometer built directly supports farming communities. Agriculture […]

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Government

FTI, CIAC TO DEVELOP P3.6B FOOD HUB IN CLARK

The Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), a government-owned and controlled corporation under the Department of Agriculture (DA), has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) for the development of a P3.6-billion Bagsakan ng Bayan Mega Food Hub (BBM Food Hub)—a large-scale agri-food complex aimed at boosting food security and farmer […]

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Government

TIU LAUREL CHAMPIONS ‘BENTENG BIGAS’ PROGRAM

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led the launch of “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”, the flagship food security program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that delivers rice at only P20 per kilo — a lifeline for vulnerable sectors and a new market opportunity for Filipino farmers. Speaking at the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant […]

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Government

TIU LAUREL: MONITOR IMPORTED RICE RETAIL PRICE

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered stricter market monitoring to ensure that the P43 per kilo maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on imported rice is enforced—despite the current suspension of rice importation. “Teams from AMAS (the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service) will visit markets where price increases on imported rice have been reported. […]

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Government

NFA BEGINS PALAY BAGGING SYSTEM PILOT TEST

The National Food Authority (NFA) started the pilot testing a 1-tonner bagging system for palay, aiming to reduce storage costs, increase warehousing capacity, and improve grain quality preservation. “This is part of our broader effort to upgrade NFA’s storage capacity with minimal cost to the government,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who also chairs […]

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Government

TIU LAUREL CHAMPIONS PH MANGOES IN ITALY

Fresh, juicy, and undeniably Filipino is how Philippine mangoes sweetened-up the show at the “Serbisyo Caravan” in Rome, the Italian city once known as Caput Mundi—the capital of the world. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. made a special stop at the mango booth during the World Food Forum events at the United Nations Food […]

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Government

DA RECOGNIZES BATANES AS ORGANIC FARMING PROVINCE

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has officially declared Batanes as an “Organic Farming Practitioner Province,” a designation that is expected to enhance local livelihoods and position the province as a leading agro-tourism destination. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed the administrative order recently formalizing the recognition of Batanes as “organic by default”. Batanes’ 13,208.90 […]

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Government

NO SUGAR IMPORTS UNTIL MID-2026 – TIU LAUREL

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr., Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Paul Azcona, and SRA Board Member and Farmers’ Representative Dave Sanson met recently to address concerns over the low prices of raw sugar seen during the first sugar bidding in Negros on October 9.  Sugar biddings are held weekly throughout the harvest season, typically spanning […]

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Government

PH, BRUNEI SIGN PACT ON AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES

The Philippines and Brunei Darussalam recently signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in agriculture and fisheries, marking a renewed push for regional food security, trade, and sustainable development. The agreement, signed between the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture and Brunei’s Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism at the sidelines of the […]

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Government

TIU LAUREL: DA READY TO TAKE LEAD ON FMR PROJECTS

The Department of Agriculture (DA) formally accepted the Senate’s challenge to take the lead on farm-to-market road (FMR) projects—a responsibility long held by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). In remarks delivered during the Senate Committee on Finance hearing for the DA’s proposed 2026 budget, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. declared the […]