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Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the agency has secured a P50-million sub-allotment to roll out fuel assistance to thousands of farmers, as surging global oil prices begin to ripple through the domestic economy. The program will provide P5,000 each to 9,570 farmers who rely on mechanized equipment, based on data from […]
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is moving to lock in fertilizer supplies from key global producers as oil-driven price spikes threaten farm output later this year. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Manila has opened talks with several countries, including China and Russia, to ensure steady deliveries of the critical farm input. Tiu Laurel […]
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and state-owned Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) urged Filipinos not to abuse the government’s subsidized rice program, warning that unusually large crowds at distribution sites are creating the false impression of a supply shortage. Officials said the flagship “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” initiative—popularly known as the P20-per-kilo rice program—continues to have […]
Food prices re-emerged as a key inflation driver in February, prompting the Department of Agriculture to step up measures aimed at shielding low-income households, as well as farmers and fisherfolk, from potential price shocks amid rising global uncertainty. The DA said it has intensified monitoring of food prices and supply following fresh data indicating faster […]
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has allocated P18 billion to expand the government’s “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” initiative to provide as many as 60 million Filipinos access to the P20-per-kilo rice. Speaking at a post-State of the Nation Address forum in San Juan City, Tiu Laurel explained that about […]
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 […]
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. discussed strengthening the convergence between the two economic sectors, reinforcing the Philippines’ identity as a global destination for gastronomy and farm tourism at a meeting held at the Department of Agriculture (DA) Central Office in Quezon City. Frasco outlined a multi-pillar convergence framework, […]
The Department of Agriculture’s Cagayan Valley office has introduced an innovative solution to the perennial problem of vegetable spoilage: the ZEC-C, or Zero Energy Cooling Chamber. This simple yet effective technology extends the shelf life of freshly harvested vegetables, particularly tomatoes and eggplants. Necessity breeds innovation, and ZEC-C is a prime example of that. Lowland […]
The Department of Agriculture (DA) paid homage to Filipinas as movers of agricultural and economic development in the Philippines during its kick-off celebration of the 2025 National Women’s Month (NWMC) recently. Revolving around the main theme, “WE for Gender Equality and an Inclusive Society,” as well as the sub-theme for this year, “Babae sa Lahat […]
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led a visit to the Pasay City Public Market to oversee the continued rollout of the KADIWA ng Pangulo kiosks that sells affordable rice to consumers under the Rice-for-All program. “The [Rice-for-All] program, which offers well-milled rice at P40 per kilo, is a realization of President Bongbong Marcos’ vision […]