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Politics

BULACAN IS DA’S TOP PERFORMING AGRI PROVINCE

The Province of Bulacan capped off 2025 with a major achievement after being recognized by the Department of Agriculture–Regional Field Office III (DA-RFO III) as the Top Performing Province (Rank 1) for implementing programs, projects, and activities under the various banner programs of the DA.Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando lauded the province’s agriculture workers, farmers, and […]

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Government

DA SETS SIGHTS ON BOOSTING PEPPER PRODUCTION

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is zeroing in on one of the most volatile items in the Filipino kitchen: sili. With prices swinging sharply during the rainy season, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing a plan to ramp up production, harden farms against extreme weather, and bring more predictability to supply and prices. […]

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Government

DA WANTS P20/KILO RICE PROGRAM EXPANDED IN 2026

Keeping palay prices fair, expanding P20-per-kilo rice and fast-tracking farm-to-market roads will be the toughest test of the Department of Agriculture heading into 2026, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said. Tiu Laurel said the priorities are critical to sustaining rice production, keeping food affordable, and improving market access for farmers. “The most urgent challenge […]

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Government

DA EYES EXPANDED P20/KILO RICE PROGRAM IN 2026

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced an expansion of the government’s P20-per-kilo rice program, with a province-wide rollout in Pangasinan scheduled for January.  The initiative is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration plan to reach 15 million households by the end of 2026. Branded “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”, the flagship food security program […]

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Politics

PANGILINAN TO DA, BOC: GO AFTER ONION SMUGGLERS

As the country approaches the onion harvest season, Senator Kiko Pangilinan called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to intensify its anti-agricultural smuggling operations, warning that illegal imports could once again undermine local farmers and distort market prices. Pangilinan, the chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and […]

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Government

DA EXTENDS SUGAR IMPORT BAN UNTIL END OF HARVEST

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) have reaffirmed a moratorium on sugar imports until the end of harvest or further, citing stronger domestic raw sugar production and the need to prioritize locally produced sugar. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the policy, first announced on October 15, could be […]

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Politics

PANGILINAN TO DA: MAKE MINDANAO PH FOOD BASKET

Senator Kiko Pangilinan said the expanded funding for Agricultural Food Hubs in the 2026 Department of Agriculture (DA) budget is a critical step toward unlocking Mindanao’s potential as the country’s primary food basket and stabilizing food prices nationwide. Under the bicameral conference committee report, funding for Agricultural Food Hubs rose from ₱2.125 billion to ₱2.625 […]

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Government

DA EYES MUNG BEAN PRODUCTION IN NUEVA ECIJA

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is preparing to shift as much as 37,000 hectares of rice land in Nueva Ecija into mungbean production as the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) races to repair parts of the Upper Pampanga River Irrigation System (UPRIS) severely damaged by illegal quarrying. The disruption threatens to slash the country’s summer rice […]

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Government

TIU LAUREL: AGRI SECTOR STILL AN EMPLOYMENT ENGINE

Agriculture remains a crucial engine of employment in the Philippines, but fresh data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) bring a familiar weakness into sharp focus.  Many of the jobs the sector generates still come and go with the seasons, a reality that Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said highlights the urgent need to turn […]

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Government

TIU LAUREL LEADS DA’S CHRISTMAS BOODLE FIGHT

The Department of Agriculture (DA) led simultaneous “boodle fights” across eight major fish ports and landing areas as part of Paskong Baybayin, a nationwide Christmas gathering honoring the country’s farmers and fisherfolk. Around 800 farmers and fisherfolks joined the communal feasts held in Navotas City, Cavite, General Santos City, Palawan, the Zamboanga Peninsula, Eastern Samar, […]