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Politics

PANGILINAN: 60-DAY RICE IMPORT BAN NOT ENOUGH

While the 60-day rice importation ban announced by Malacañang will shield farmers from falling palay prices during harvest season, Senator Kiko Pangilinan lamented that this is insufficient to stop the country’s reliance on imported rice and achieve food security. “Yung 60-day ban is good as a stop gap measure, but it is not enough. Why […]

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Government

DA: IMPORTED RICE MSRP TO STAY DURING IMPORT BAN

The maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice will remain during the two-month suspension of rice imports ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced. The MSRP for 5 percent broken imported rice was reduced to P43 per kilo from P45 on July 16. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. decided […]

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Government

DA ROLLS OUT P20/KILO RICE PROGRAM IN GUIMARAS

The Department of Agriculture (DA), in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Guimaras, officially launched the “Benteng Bigas, Meron na!” program expanding the reach of the affordable rice initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to vulnerable sectors in the island province. A key component of the President’s food security agenda, the program offers rice at […]

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Government

DA OPENS REHABILITATED NFA WAREHOUSE IN MALOLOS

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led the reopening of the National Food Authority’s (NFA) newly rehabilitated warehouse in Malolos, Bulacan, a crucial step in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push to intensify palay procurement, uplift farmer incomes, and sustain the P20 per kilo rice program. “This long-overdue upgrade of a 45-year-old facility ensures that our […]

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Government

DA WANTS NFA REGULATORY POWERS RESTORED

The Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) has severely weakened the National Food Authority’s (NFA) ability to stabilize rice prices and supply, stripping it of key regulatory powers—including the authority to sell rice directly to the public. Once a crucial player in controlling market prices through timely imports and public sales, the NFA is now reduced to […]

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Government

DA: P20/KG RICE IN KADIWA CENTERS STARTING MAY 2

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that the KADIWA ng Pangulo program will introduce the P20 Rice Project in KADIWA centers on May 2, 2025. Through the P20 Rice Project, high-quality rice will be sold at a price of P20 per kilogram by DA at KADIWA centers or by LGUs at their respective communities.  […]

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Government

PHILMECH BOOSTS RICE PRODUCTION MECHANIZATION

The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), under the Department of Agriculture (DA), met its rice mechanization targets in 2024, delivering thousands of machines and expanding its support programs for farmers, cooperatives, and local government units (LGUs). Backed by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)—a key provision under the Rice Tariffication Law of […]

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Politics

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL FARMERS JOIN ‘LAKBAY PALAY’

More than 500 farmers from different cities and towns of Negros Occidental attended the Lakbay Palay organized by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) held in the Municipality of Murcia. Lakbay Palay is an annual farmers’ field day and forum, sponsored by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Programs run by PhilRice that […]

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Government

DOUBLE DRY SYSTEM BOOSTS MARINDUQUE RICE HARVEST

Rice farmers in Marinduque are primed for an extra planting season with the delivery of certified inbred seeds, a vital input to the recently adopted double dry cropping system that promises higher farm productivity and farmers’ incomes. Spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the National Irrigation Administration, this initiative is designed to […]

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Government

DA: IMPORTED RICE AT P45/KG STARTING MARCH 31

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice will be reduced anew on March 31 to P45 per kilo, following a continued decline in global rice prices. “At this level, the retail price of imported rice has now decreased by P19 per kilo compared to its […]