Latest news with #TiuLaurel
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
NFA to sell P20 rice to registered farmers beginning Aug. 13
The government's P20-per-kilo rice initiative, initially for vulnerable sectors, will be opened to farmers registered under the Department of Agriculture's Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) starting mid-next month. In a news release on Wednesday, the DA said, beginning August 13, RSBA-registered farmers will be allowed to participate in the 'Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!' program. 'It is only fair that those who produce the rice we eat have access to the P20-per-kilo rice we make available to vulnerable sectors, including minimum wage earners,' said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. 'There will be KADIWA-FTI booths in NFA warehouses that will sell P20 rice,' he added. The P20 rice program for RSBA-registered farmers will be launched in Regions II and III next month. Farmers listed under the RSBSA will initially be eligible to purchase up to 10 kilos of P20 rice per month. Currently, around 2.9 million rice farmers are registered under the RSBSA, according to the DA. Moreover, plans are being fine-tuned, particularly logistics, to include fisherfolk in the subsidized rice program, said Tiu Laurel. There are 2.8 million RSBSA-registered fisherfolk. The subsidized rice is sold primarily through the KADIWA ng Pangulo centers and in participating government agencies and local government units. The rice is sourced by Food Terminal Inc. from the NFA, which is required by law to build a buffer stock with rice bought only from local farmers. Farmers could avail of their monthly allocation in bulk. 'This means that if they want, they could buy a 50-kilo sack of the P20 rice to cover their allocation from August to December,' said Tiu Laurel, who also chairs the policy-making NFA Council. If all registered farmers avail of their monthly entitlement, the NFA will release approximately 520,000 50-kilo bags of rice from its stocks each month, the DA said. To replenish these stocks, the agency will have to procure two bags of palay for every bag of rice released—creating more selling opportunities for rice farmers at better prices and helping stabilize palay farm-gate prices, the Agriculture Department noted. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his fourth State of the Nation Address, has directed the DA to expand the coverage of the P20 rice program to benefit as many as 15 million households—or around 60 million Filipinos—by next year. The administration aims to sustain the program until the end of the President's term in June 2028, fulfilling a major campaign promise to ensure accessible, affordable rice for all. The Agriculture chief said an P18 billion budget has been approved by President Marcos for the rice program for 2026. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
24-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Damage to agri due to Crising, Dante, Emong, Habagat hits P454.12M
The damage sustained by the country's agri-fisheries sector due to the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) is nearing half-a-billion pesos, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). In its situation report, the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center reported that the damage and losses in rice, corn, cassava, high value crops, fisheries, livestock and poultry and agricultural infrastructure stood at P454.12 million with a volume of production loss at 13,376 metric tons (MT). The weather disturbances affected 20,959 farmers and fisherfolk in 20,413 hectares of agricultural areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Socckskargen. Further damage and losses are expected in affected regions as assessment and validation is on-going, according to the DA. In a separate statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tui Laurel Jr. said the DA is distributing P596.5 million worth of agricultural and fishery inputs, such as rice, corn, and vegetable seeds; seedlings; pesticides; forage seeds; free-range chickens; and fingerlings. 'In addition, 2,100 bags of rice from the National Food Authority have been delivered to local government units in Palawan, Polangui, and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Albay,' Tiu Laurel said. The Agriculture chief said DA will tap its Quick Response Fund to fast-track rehabilitation and recovery of affected areas. Tiu Laurel said the Agricultural Credit Policy Council has earmarked P400 million in interest-free loans under its Survival and Recovery (SURE) program with up to PhP 25,000 loanable amount, payable in three years at zero interest. Moreover, an initial amount of P268 million has been set aside for the indemnification of 45,980 insured affected farmers through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). Tiu Laurel said he ordered the PCIC to expedite indemnity payments to affected farmers and fisherfolk. The DA's Regional Field Offices in areas affected by the weather disturbances are undertaking the following interventions: Conduct of field validation and needs assessment Close coordination with concerned national government agencies, local government units and other DRRM-related offices on the impact of the disaster, including road obstructions that may affect the food supply chain, and flooding that will cause further damage and losses Monitoring of agricultural commodities for any changes in prices and movement. In line with this, a price ceiling on agricultural commodities is in effect in areas under the State of Calamity, as mandated by Republic Act 7581 or "The Price Act." — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
23-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DA chief on Trump tariff: Too early to assess impact on PH agri exports
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is awaiting how the recently concluded trade deal between the US and the Philippines will affect the country's agricultural exports sector. In a statement on Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said it was 'too early to assess,' whether the Philippine agriculture sector 'will gain or not from this trade deal with the US.' Tiu Laurel said that its impact remains to be seen as 'many of our competitors are still negotiating for better terms.' The Agriculture chief issued the statement after US President Donald Trump announced that the Philippines had agreed to allow American goods to enter the country tariff-free, while Philippine exports to the US would be charged a 19% tariff, which is higher than the original 17% rate and just below one percentage point below the 20% rate the US chief announced early this month. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. clarified that not all goods entering the Philippines from the US will get a zero tariff. The Philippines' tariff rate imposed by the US is at par with Indonesia's, which was brought down from 32%. Vietnam's exports to the US, meanwhile, will be charged a 20% rate, also down from the initial 46%. America is also taxing goods transshipped —routed from other countries — from Vietnam at 40%. Thailand and Cambodia have yet to finalize deals and face a proposed 36% tariff. The DA said the Philippines enjoyed a $3.98-billion trade surplus with the U.S. in 2024. However, in terms of agricultural trade, the country posted a deficit of $1.95 billion, albeit narrower than the $2.36-billion shortfall in 2023. Coconut oil was the Philippines' top agricultural export to the US last year, generating $558.7 million. On the other hand, the Philippines' top farm imports from the US included animal feeds ($1.36 billion), cereals and cereal products ($838.1 million), and other food and live animals ($384.1 million). Tiu Laurel said that 'at first glance, the zero tariff on US agricultural imports could support the goal of the President of achieving a food-secure Philippines by lowering the cost of key inputs—especially for livestock production.' —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DA suspends issuance of clearance for mackerel, scad importation
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday announced the suspension of the issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) for the importation of certain mackerel and torpedo scad species to allow the agency to probe alleged misuse of import permits, as it could destabilize the local fish market. In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said he issued Memorandum Order No.? 37 and 38 to investigate allegations that some importers misdeclared or diverted shipments of fishery products and to immediately halt SPSIC issuance for imports of horse mackerel—including Atlantic and Japanese jack mackerel—Indian mackerel, wahoo, and both torpedo or hardtail scad. Tiu Laurel said the alleged misdeclaration of fish imports could undermine 'the DA's objectives of stabilizing supply and keeping fish prices affordable, while also disrupting legitimate trade channels.' Known locally as alumahan (mackerel) and galunggong (scad), these fish varieties are household staples for many Filipino families due to their affordability and versatility in local cuisine, according to the Agriculture chief. He said the importation of these essential commodities must be transparent and fair—not only to safeguard consumer access, but also to protect the livelihoods of local fishers and traders from the adverse effects of illicit trade. 'The DA action reinforces the commitment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to upholding food safety, market fairness, and sustainable livelihoods in the fishery and aquaculture sectors. It also aims to insulate domestic producers from disruptive activities that distort market dynamics,' he said. Tiu Laurel said that the order 'is not an import ban' but a temporary measure to ensure full compliance with regulations and alignment with national interest. 'The DA order will be lifted based on the result of a thorough investigation and review of current importation protocols, with the goal of ensuring integrity and accountability across the fish supply chain,' he said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
14-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos sees spike in agri smuggling as national security threat
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is seeing the recent spike in agricultural commodity smuggling as a national security threat, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Monday. Tiu Laurel said Marcos already directed law enforcement and intelligence agencies to assist the Department of Agriculture (DA) in addressing the illicit trade, which affects the country's food security. 'The President has directed the DA to throw the book at the consignees and all those involved in smuggling these agricultural products. By the end of the year, we hope to see many of those responsible handcuffed, facing charges,' Tiu Laurel said in a press release. He said Marcos is concerned about the damage these market-disruptive practices cause to local farmers, fisherfolk, and legitimate businesses. 'This not only harms the economy but fosters corruption at multiple levels,' the DA chief said. Tiu Laurel said he already met with newly appointed Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre, and representatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) ''to devise strategies for targeting smuggling syndicates.'' He added that customs brokers would also face legal consequences as part of efforts to enforce the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, the Food Safety Act, and the Customs Code. Imported goods, primarily from the Port of Xiamen, are under heightened scrutiny as most of the smuggled goods are shipped out of the Chinese port, according to Tiu Laurel. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
