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The Department of Agriculture (DA) is moving forward with expansion of the P20 rice program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to smallholder rice farmers despite criticisms of self-styled farmer leaders. Slated for launch on August 13, the initiative will allow millions of rice farmers—those tilling no more than three hectares and registered under the Registry […]
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to suspend rice imports for 60 days—while holding off on a tariff hike—is a “measured response” to the current challenges faced by rice farmers. “The suspension is a more calibrated action—one that we can quickly reverse if needed,” Tiu Laurel said. “It gives […]
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expressed full support for a new Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) that aims to strengthen inter-agency coordination and streamline the entry of strategic investments, particularly in the agriculture and fisheries sectors. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed the JMC, which enhances the operational mechanism of the Investment Facilitation Network […]
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that he will recommend to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the distribution of frozen mackerel recently seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the ports of Manila and Subic. Laboratory tests conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources confirmed that the smuggled fish are safe for […]
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted its temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds and related products—including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen—originating from Australia. The ban was initially instituted under DA Memorandum Order No. 21, issued in June last year, following reported outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Australian […]
Starting August 13, warehouses of the National Food Authority (NFA) will open their doors not only to buy palay from farmers but also to allow them to participate in the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”—a key initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. where rice is sold at P20 a kilo. “It is only fair that those […]
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that Philippine trade negotiators have assured him that key locally-produced agricultural goods such as rice, corn, sugar, chicken, fish, and pork will be protected in the ongoing tariff negotiations with the US. “Secretary Frederick Go and Trade Secretary Cristina Roque have assured us that the top priority for […]
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. directed Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro and Undersecretary Chris Morales, who oversees the country’s National Rice Program, to immediately visit areas devastated by Tropical Storm Crising and the Southwest Monsoon to provide urgent support to affected farmers and fisherfolk. “We want our farmers and fisherfolk to know that […]
Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro, officer-in-charge of the Department of Agriculture (DA), directed all DA agencies to mobilize swiftly and extend immediate assistance to farmers and fisherfolk adversely affected by Tropical Storm Crising, intensified further by the relentless Southwest Monsoon. “We must act without delay—weather permitting—to ease the suffering of our farmers and fisherfolk,” said […]
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) s rolling out a pioneering parametric insurance program aimed at speeding up claims settlement for rice farmers affected by extreme weather—a transformative step in PCIC’s approach to agricultural risk management. PCIC President Jovy Bernabe said the innovative insurance model uses remote sensing technologies to automatically trigger payouts based on […]