Latest news with #FranciscoTiuLaurelJr.
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
‘Smuggled' sugar shipments worth P9 million seized in Manila port
Authorities have intercepted two separate shipments of sugar, which lacked necessary permits, at the Port of Manila (POM) for violations of customs and importation rules. In a statement, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, BOC Assistant Commissioner of the Post Clearance Audit Group Vincent Philip Maronilla, Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy, and POM District Collector Alexander Gerard Alviar jointly led the inspection of the intercepted sugar shipments on Thursday, May 29, 2025. The BOC said the first operation was carried out on May 23, 2025, following a Pre-Lodgement Control Order issued by the BOC-POM. The Customs said a joint team from the BOC, SRA, DA, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and other enforcement units examined two 20-foot container vans from Thailand containing 1,000 sacks of refined sugar. While the consignee was registered with the SRA, the BOC said the shipment lacked the required import allocation and clearance, rendering the importation unauthorized. The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)-POM recommended the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) for violations of Section 117 (Regulated Importation and Exportation) in relation to Section 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and Sugar Order No. 6, Series of 2022–2023. Another shipment, which arrived on April 29 at the POM from Thailand, involved two container vans of refined sugar imported 'without any permit or import allocation from the SRA.' The BOC said it examined the two abandoned 20-foot containers in coordination with the SRA, DA, Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc. (CCBI), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) -POM, and CIIS-POM and found 1,040 bags labeled 'sweet mixed powder.' Both shipments of sugar are valued at approximately P9 million, according to the Customs. 'President Marcos Jr. has made it clear that the smuggling of agricultural commodities and other regulated goods will not be tolerated. These operations are a direct response to his marching orders to safeguard our borders and protect the welfare of the Filipino people,' said Rubio. In a separate statement, Tiu Laurel said, 'We cannot let these illicit trading practices undermine the agriculture sector and hurt our farmers, particularly those in the sugar industry.' 'The closer coordination among government agencies to clamp down on smuggling as well as the implementation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law which doesn't allow bail should put fear on these illicit traders,' the Agriculture chief said. The DA chief instructed the SRA to blacklist the importers of the seized sugar shipments. The DA, through its Inspectorate and Enforcement office, last year seized P2.83 billion worth of smuggled farm goods, around P1 billion higher compared to the level in 2023. From January through May 19 this year, DA-IE already seized and condemned smuggled farm goods worth a total P407.6 million. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos visits PH's largest greenhouse facility
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday morning visited the country's largest greenhouse facility in San Rafael, Bulacan. He was accompanied by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) chairman Manuel Pangilinan, and others. The Metro Pacific Fresh Farms (MPFF) is a joint venture between Metro Pacific Agro Ventures (MPAV) — a subsidiary of the MPIC — and Israel-based LR Group, inaugurated its 3.5-hectare greenhouse facility in March. It is expected to produce up to 500 metric tons of fresh produce annually, including 60,000 heads of lettuce per month (144 MT per year). Developed with LR Group's state-of-the-art technology, the greenhouse also uses 90% less water and land while yielding five times more produce than traditional farms. 'MPFF's initiative addresses supply instability and high input costs, providing a reliable source of produce for businesses and consumers,' Malacañang said. 'The new brand 'More Veggies Please' aims to deliver fresh, nutritious vegetables initially in Metro Manila, with plans for nationwide expansion,' it added. The MPFF seeks to expand the greenhouse by the second half of 2026. —Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
27-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DA, DOLE to include minimum wage earners in P20/kg rice program
Minimum wage earners will soon have access to the government's pilot test of the P20 per kilogram rice initiative, which has been initially rolled out to vulnerable sectors. This developed after the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) "agreed in principle" to include minimum wage earners in the ongoing pilot run of the subsidized rice program, the DA said in a statement on Tuesday. Launched early this month, the P20 per kilogram rice initiative under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program only allows members of vulnerable sectors—including indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and solo parents to buy NFA rice at P20 per kilogram. Rice sold in Kadiwa centers is subsidized by the government through the Food Terminal Inc. For programs where local government units (LGUs) share the subsidy, it will be up to the LGUs to determine eligibility. The limit is 30 kilograms per household. Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. had a discussion on the former's proposal for the inclusion of minimum wage earners in the subsidized rice program, according to the DA. "We had a very good and fruitful discussion in our shared goal of helping our workers, particularly minimum wage earners. By including them in this rice program, we aim to improve their purchasing power," said Laguesma. "We are looking forward to a very successful implementation of this convergence of the DA and the Department of Labor and Employment," said the Labor chief. For his part, Tiu Laurel reaffirmed the DA's commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive, emphasizing that strong inter-agency collaboration is essential to sustaining and expanding the impact of this vital social responsibility program. "This initiative stems from the President's promise to extend the P20 rice program to those who need it most," said the DA chief, adding that "for now, participation is limited to workers from companies that have expressed interest in the pilot program." The DA said it expects that eligible workers from participating companies would gain access to the P20 rice program next month. The Agriculture Department is aiming to sustain the program until the end of Marcos' term in June 2028, potentially covering up to 15 million households—or approximately 60 million Filipinos. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
25-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Nueva Vizcaya declared ‘Ginger Capital of the Philippines'
Nueva Vizcaya produced 7,140 metric tons of ginger from 933 hectares of land in 2024. File photo The Department of Agriculture (DA) has officially declared Nueva Vizcaya the 'Ginger Capital of the Philippines,' given the province's continued lead in ginger production, supplying major trading hubs across the country. In a statement, the DA cited Nueva Vizcaya's production of 7,140 metric tons of ginger from 933 hectares of land in 2024, averaging 7.4 metric tons per hectare with some 5,010 ginger growers. It is also a major source for key trading hubs in northern and southern Luzon and Metro Manila, facilitating the movement of 14,753 metric tons in 2024. 'This recognition is not just a title—it's a commitment to deliver support where it truly matters,' Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Sunday. 'Ginger is valued both for its culinary and medicinal uses, and with proper backing from the DA, it can significantly improve product value addition to uplift the incomes of smallholder farmers in Nueva Vizcaya and across Cagayan Valley,' he added. Nueva Vizcaya covers 481,388 hectares of agricultural land that also produces rice, corn, onion, garlic, tomatoes, melon, and mango. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DA to expand scope of P20-per-kilo rice, eyes reaching 14M Pinoys by September
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said it is set to broaden the scope of the pilot test for the P20-per-kilo rice initiative as it eyes to reach up to 14 million Filipinos by September. In a news release, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that the second phase of the pilot program will target Mindanao provinces with high poverty incidence. 'On top of the list for the second phase, which begins in July, is Zamboanga del Norte, with a poverty incidence of 37.7%. Also included are Basilan, Cotabato City, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Davao Oriental, Sorsogon, and Maguindanao del Norte,' Tiu Laurel said. For the third phase, which will begin in September, the program will be expanded to Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Catanduanes, Agusan del Sur, Sarangani, and Dinagat Islands. The expanded pilot test for the P20-per-kilo rice initiative is seen to cover more than 3.3 million households or 14 million Filipinos. The program, initially launched on May 1 as a pilot program in select Visayan areas, has been expanded to include regions in Luzon and Mindanao. The pilot was intended to collect critical data for efficiently operationalizing the program. It is scheduled to run until December. The subsidized rice to be sold is sourced from the National Food Authority (NFA) —which currently has an inventory equivalent to around eight million 50-kilo bags of milled rice. Tiu Laurel said he has directed the NFA to ensure the quality of rice to be distributed, especially to remote and island provinces. Under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, only members of vulnerable sectors—including indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and solo parents—are eligible to buy NFA rice at P20 per kilo. The rice sold in KADIWA centers is subsidized by the government through the Food Terminal Inc. For programs where local government units (LGUs) share the subsidy, it will be up to the LGUs to determine eligibility. The limit is 30 kilos per household. The DA chief said the agency is aiming to sustain the program until the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s term in June 2028, potentially covering up to 15 million households—or approximately 60 million Filipinos. This expansion underscores the government's commitment to making rice more affordable and accessible to all, he said. —NB, GMA Integrated News
