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Government

THE PHILIPPINES EXCEEDS SALES FORECAST IN CHINA EXPO – LOPEZ

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced that the total sales of Filipino participants in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai surpassed its $50 million sales projection. According to the DTI, the total sales of Philippine booths in the CIIE from Nov. 5 to Nov. 10 reached $124 million to include $108 […]

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Politics

SENATE APPROVES RICE TARIFFICATION BILL – VILLAR

The Senate passed on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1998, or the proposed rice tariffication bill, which President Rodrigo Duterte has certified as urgent in a bid to bring down the price of rice in the market and reduce inflation. SB 1998, sponsored by Senator Cynthia Villar, was passed with a vote of […]

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Politics

INTER-CROP CACAO AS THE DEMAND FOR IT IS ON THE RISE – VILLAR

In an effort to increase the income of coconut farmers, Senator Cynthia Villar encouraged Boholano farmers to inter-crop cacao as the demand for it is on the rise. Villar, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, made the appeal during a brief talk with Bohol media on the sidelines of the 115th anniversary celebration of […]

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Politics

PROTECT AGRICULTURE, EXPAND CROP INSURANCE – PIMENTEL

Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship Chairperson Koko Pimentel III said on Sunday that he was planning to convene insurance stakeholders to discuss and propose measures that would give added protection to Filipino farmers, particularly from the damaging effects of typhoons and natural calamities. The move was meant to enhance the food security situation […]

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Politics

HOUSE DECLARES CATANDUANES AS ABACA CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES – SARMIENTO

The House of Representatives approved on second reading a bill conferring to the province of Catanduanes the official “Abaca Capital of the Philippines” designation. House Bill 7369, principally authored by Catanduanes representative and concurrent Committee on Transportation chairman Cesar Sarmiento, seeks to acknowledge the vital contribution of the province in making the Philippines the largest […]

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Politics

COME DOWN HARD ON PREDATORY MERCHANTS – PIMENTEL

With government set to impose suggested retail prices for rice and chicken soon, Senate Trade and Commerce Committee Chair Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III is urging authorities to come down hard on predatory merchants who will continue to sell overpriced goods. The National Food Authority (NFA) Council, along with the departments of agriculture, trade and industry, […]

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Politics

COCO LEVY FUND BILL ISSUES COULD BE RESOLVED SOON – PANGANIBAN

House Agriculture Committee Chair and ANAC-IP Rep. Jose Panganiban, Jr. expressed hope on Thursday that the issues found by the Executive Branch in the coco levy fund bill will be resolved soon, adding that he welcomes a “second chance” to further improve the measure. The bill is set to be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte […]

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Politics

SENATE APPROVES STRENGTHENED PCA LAW ON SECOND READING – VILLAR

Senator Cynthia Villar has welcomed the approval on second reading of the bill giving greater representation to coconut farmers in the body tasked to manage the P105 billion coconut levy funds. Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, authored Senate Bill 1976 or the Strengthened Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Law. The bill amends […]

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Politics

RETURN OF NFA TO DA WILL ENSURE BETTER COORDINATION ON RICE ISSUES – AGRI PARTY-LIST

The AGRI Party-list has welcomed the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to bring the National Food Authority (NFA) under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture (DA), saying this would ensure better coordination in tackling perennial issues on rice. The President issued Executive Order 62, which transfers the NFA, Philippine Coconut Authority, and Fertilizer and […]

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Politics

BUY PALAY FROM LOCAL FARMERS BEFORE TYPHOON HITS – NOGRALES

With Typhoon Mangkhut expected to bring heavy rains and winds as strong as 160 kph, House Appropriations Chairperson Rep. Karlo “Ang Probinsyano” on Monday called on the National Food Authority (NFA) to intensify rice procurement operations so that it could buy palay from farmers before the supertyphoon hits the country. “The NFA has not had […]