The Department of Agriculture (DA) is being asked to heed the order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to relax its policies and procedures on the importation of farm products, including the removal of non-tariff barriers that is seen to boost local supply and bring down prices of items such as rice and pork.
A licensed rice importer deplored that some DA officials held his shipment involving 192,000 bags of 25 kilos bearing the Piña Brand Rice on board the vessel M/V Seagull 09, but upon checking, everything was in order.
The rice importer has already paid the Php 48,774,139.01 in taxes and duties as required by the Bureau of Customs.
“After full inspection conducted by the DA together with the Philippine National Police and the National Security office under Secretary Eduardo Año. The three agencies found everything to be above board,” the rice importer, who requested anonymity, said.
“Taxes were fully paid and full declaration of quantity of goods was also in order,” the importer added.
Two more vessels also arrived and declared fully and properly at the Bureau of Customs for duties of more or less Php 96 Million pesos.
All shipments were also covered with the proper Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) permits, phytosanitary certificate of origin and all necessary documents for legal importation, according to the importer.
The Piña Rice Brand was the main reason why all rice prices were stabilized as low as Php 47 pesos per kilo as compared to prices months ago.
“Kasi ang selling ng bigas dati panay 55-65 pesos. Sumula ng dumating itong rice under MOU (memorandum of understanding) ng Philippines and Vietnam, signed by the President and Secretary Francis Laurel and the Vietnam Government, bumaba sa range ng 47-49 pesos ang presyo ng bigas,” the importer explained.
The Kadiwa ng Pangulo together with the DA, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and local government units (LGUs) also provided this rice brand for the constituents of local governments.
The President issued Administrative Order No. 20, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on April 18, due to the persistence of administrative and nontariff constraints that have caused the continued increase of domestic prices of agricultural commodities.
Nontariff barriers include quotas, import licensing systems, regulations and red tape that restrict or delay the entry of imports.
Marcos directed the DA, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Finance, to streamline procedures and requirements in the licensing of importers, minimize the processing time of application for importation, and exempt licensed trades from the submission of registration requirements.
AO 20 also authorizes the DA to allow the importation of agricultural products beyond the authorized minimum access volume, or the quantity of an agricultural product that is allowed to be imported at a lower tariff as committed by the country to the World Trade Organization, and remove the corresponding fees related to the increased importation.
The President also ordered the DA and its attached agencies to process, approve and release SPSIC applications within 15 days; otherwise, applications with completed documents would be deemed approved.
Under AO 20, the President created a surveillance team to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of his directive. It will be made up of representatives from the DA, DTI, BOC, DILG, Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the PNP.
By el Amigo
MANILA — Despite the removal of the official leading the probe, the Department of Agriculture (DA) remains committed to investigating the alleged improper sale of rice stocks by the National Food Authority (NFA).
The Office of the Ombudsman recently ordered the dismissal of Demosthenes Escoto, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director and head of the investigation panel, for grave misconduct related to BFAR’s procurement of communications equipment in 2018.
“The panel, led by Escoto along with Atty. Willie Ann Angsiy and Assistant Secretary James Layug, remain intact. The majority of the team is still actively engaged,” stated Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa during a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing on Friday.
De Mesa assured that the investigation would continue with the two remaining officials on the panel. He emphasized that there would be no significant delays in the process, as the panel’s activities are fully supported while awaiting the appointment of a new head.
“The discussions are ongoing, and Secretary [Francisco] Tiu Laurel will announce the new head at any moment,” De Mesa added.
Secretary Laurel has directed the NFA to expedite the submission of necessary documents to the panel and to cooperate with the Ombudsman’s concurrent investigation. The DA aims to scrutinize procurement and rice quality assessment records dating back to 2019.
The alleged improper sale involves approximately 75,000 bags of NFA rice valued at over PHP 93.7 million, which were reportedly sold to selected millers and traders without a bidding process, resulting in a price deemed “disadvantageous” to the government.
(IA/MNM)
MANILA — Filipino retirees interested in farming should undergo training, according to Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa. He emphasized the necessity of acquiring sufficient knowledge to ensure a higher success rate in agriculture.
“People often think that farming post-retirement is easy, but agriculture is a science. One cannot simply venture into farming without prior experience or training,” De Mesa explained. He cautioned that without proper preparation, retirees risk depleting their savings and retirement funds.
De Mesa stressed the importance of readiness and planning for retirement-aged individuals considering a transition to farming. “While retirement may seem distant, those planning to venture into agriculture need to prepare themselves both technically and financially. Being 100 percent ready upon retirement will enable them to dive into farming confidently,” he added.
According to De Mesa, being adequately prepared will significantly increase their chances of success in the farming sector. “Their retirement savings and hard-earned money will not go to waste. Their success rate will be higher,” he affirmed.
Citing recent data, De Mesa noted that the median age of farmers in the Philippines is currently around 56 to 57 years old. He also highlighted the importance of mechanization in agriculture for boosting production and improving farmers’ quality of life.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In his bid to ensure government funds are fully utilized, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. on Tuesday (2 April 2024) disclosed that the voucher system under the National Rice Program (NRP) is under review to implement changes and address issues concerning payouts.
In a statement, Tiu Laurel pointed out that the voucher system needs to be fixed “to ensure government funds are fully utilized, farmers get full benefits, and rice production is substantially increased.”
It was gathered that under the NRP, the DA distributes vouchers to farmer-beneficiaries which could be exchanged for farm inputs such as fertilizers and rice seeds at DA-accredited merchants.
However, Tiu Laurel noted that many traders refuse to honor vouchers as they have not been paid, with total payables reaching P892 million.
The Agriculture chief said some payables date as far back as 2021.
Tiu Laurel disclosed that changes to the voucher system may include secure physical vouchers that may not be duplicated.
He said this will be pilot-tested soon to ensure that farmers get the inputs needed to maximize rice yields, increase grain supply towards self-sufficiency levels, and consequently, increase farmers’ income.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Amid the scorching heat of El Niño which agricultural damage already reached P1.75 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the leadership of Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel has extended a total of P379.06 million in assistance to affected farmers.
The DA disclosed that more than 29,000 farmers have been affected in eight regions, including badly hit MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) of Region 4.
It was gathered that financial assistance from the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) Program has been given to 71,795 farmers in MIMAROPA, with a total amount of P 362.56 million.
Based on the DA’s El Niño Bulletin 5, the most affected commodity is rice, with damage reaching P1.13 billion.
This is followed by corn, high-value crops, and livestock.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In his bid to clean up the National Food Authority (NFA) of unscrupulous officials and traders taking advantage through the sale of aging rice buffer stocks, Department of Agriculture (DA) Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered the agency’s Internal Audit Service (IAS) to examine NFA’s rice stocks disposition since 2019.
Laurel issued the directive amid the alleged irregularities in the sale of the NFA’s buffer stocks to private traders.
“DA-NFA officials and personnel are directed to extend their full assistance and cooperation to DA-IAS to ensure the successful conduct of this audit,” the DA chief said.
According to the DA news release on Saturday (09 March 2024), the department’s IAS, headed by officer-in-charge Director Joan Jagonos-Oliva, has been ordered to review the period starting in 2019 when the Rice Tariffication Law was passed.
It was learned that the passage of the Rice Tariffication Law, which allowed liberalized importation of rice, has removed the NFA’s role in regulating the rice sector as well as its function as the only agency allowed to import rice shipments into the country.
The DA clarified that NFA’s mandate now solely focuses on ensuring a sufficient supply of buffer stocks of rice in the Philippines—30 days worth of the country’s total consumption during the lean season, and 15 days otherwise.
However, the DA noted that these provisions might have been taken advantage of by unscrupulous officials and traders through the sale of aging rice buffer stocks.
“We want to see if there is a pattern of rice disposition that is disadvantageous to the government,” Laurel Jr. said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Amid the El Niño phenomenon, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Spokesperson Arnel De Mesa has assured the public that there would be a sufficient supply of rice, pointing out that there is “a healthy stock and inventory” of rice this year.
De Mesa said the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has reported the country received more than 600,000 metric tons of imported rice for the first two months of 2024.
“On an average that’s about 300,000 metric tons which is at par doon sa expected natin na 300,000 metric tons per month na darating na bigas na imported. Iyong ating production last year na 20.06 million metric tons plus itong ating mga imports, and we are expecting na magpi-peak iyong harvest natin ng palay nagsisimula na ngayon by March and April,” the DA Assistant Secretary said.
“So, in terms of supply wala po tayong problema we have a very healthy stocks and inventory of rice para po ngayong taon na ito,” he added.
De Mesa added the DA continues to monitor the damages and effects of El Niño across the country.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Prevention is better than cure, as the adage goes as the Department of Agriculture (DA) banned temporarily the importation of live cattle, buffaloes, and their products and by-products from Libya and three other countries.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. on Saturday (February 3) said the move is aimed to prevent the spread of lumpy skin disease (LSD) among the country’s local cattle population.
“LSD is a cattle disease caused by a virus that is transmitted by blood-sucking insects such as mosquitoes and ticks, and causes fever, nodules on the skin and may even cause death, particularly those that have had no previous exposure. The virus can cause significant production losses but can be controlled either by culling or by vaccination,” the DA said in a statement.
Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Memorandum Order No. 06 series of 2024 on Feb. 1 ordering the temporary ban of imports of such items from Libya, Russia, South Korea and Thailand.
He also ordered the immediate suspension in accordance with the recommendations of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code Article 11.9, the DA statement said.
“Safe commodities (skeletal muscle meat, gelatine and collagen, tallow, hooves and horns) are still allowed to be imported from the said country as long as the country is accredited to import following the import terms and conditions of the Philippines,” the agency’s statement further said.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the LSD, which originated in Africa, was first reported as an outbreak in Vietnam and Myanmar in 2020 and then spread to Thailand and Laos in 2021.
No cases of LSD have been reported so far in the Philippines and Indonesia, the NCBI said.
Nevertheless, Tiu Laurel ordered the confiscation, seizure and disposal of live cattle and buffaloes as well as products and by-products coming from Libya, Russia, South Korea and Thailand of shipments that do not comply with the memorandum.
(rl Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying the suspension of onion importation is beneficial to onion farmers, the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) on Saturday lauded the Department of Agriculture’s action as local growers prepare to harvest and sell their produce.
SINAG president Rosendo So pointed out that the suspension of onion importation earlier announced by DA Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr., would help onion farmers in the country, particularly in Nueva Ecija, sell their produce at a good price.
So noted that the harvest of white onions has already started in Nueva Ecija.
He also mentioned that farmers are selling their produce at P18-P20 a kilogram, which is a break-even price.
So lamented that markets are still dominated by the supply of imported white onions which affect the local onion farmers.
The SINAG leader thanked the DA for their prompt action on their request made days ago to stop the importation of onions, as the harvest of white onions is expected to peak in February, while red onions will peak in March.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has indicated that the price of galunggong may see a decline by March.
“The answer is yes. But in March, that’s the Philippines’ galunggong catching season—March, April, May, and June. The lifting will be slow by February; the catch is still low. But by March, I expect the price to go down,” Laurel stated when questioned about the potential decrease in galunggong prices in the coming months.
According to Laurel, the expected price range for galunggong is between P130 to P150 per kilo.
Switching to the rice supply, the Department of Agriculture assures the public that there is an ample supply of rice in the country.
“As far as supply is concerned, we have enough rice – in December, our stocks were relatively healthy. January is also showing healthy figures, with additional rice coming in. However, predicting the price is challenging. The issue is that the world price is increasing due to El Niño,” commented Laurel.
The agriculture secretary further mentioned that the country had an ending rice stock of 20 million tons last year and aims for a similar volume this year, considering the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon forecasted to persist until April.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Concerned that rice prices have accelerated to a 14-year high last month, the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday disclosed that it will conduct consultations with all the stakeholders to come up with suggested retail prices (SRPs) on rice products.
DA spokesperson Asec. Arnel de Mesa said the SRPs would help ensure that rice would remain affordable to Filipino consumers.
“Hindi ka puwede basta mag-issue ng SRP without doing the consultations with all the stakeholders, from the consumer groups, producer groups, ganoon din sa traders and millers, lahat sila ay dapat nakokonsulta sa pagtatakda ng suggested retail price (SRP),” De Mesa said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.
The DA issued the statements in the wake of reports from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) that rice inflation surged to its fastest rate in 14 years last December.
DA Secretary Francisco “Kiko” P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has recently reshuffled some high-ranking officials in his bid to make the agency “more efficient.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Friday that an estimated 2.38 million rice farmers have started receiving P5,000 each in cash aid from the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program.
The RFFA program is an unconditional financial assistance for small rice farmers tilling below two hectares.
The cash grant is mandated under Republic Act (RA) No. 11598, or the Cash Assistance to Filipino Farmers Act of 2021, and overseen by the Department of Agriculture.
The program is funded through the excess tariff collection from rice importations in 2022, totaling P12.7 billion.
To recall, in September, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the release of P12.7 billion in excess tariff collections to bankroll the RFFA program.
As of December 28, the DA said 458,435 farmers’ accounts have been credited with the cash aid.
Meanwhile, the agency said 44,719 farmers have withdrawn their cash through the efforts of the Development Bank of the Philippines and remittance giant USSC, a BSP-licensed e-money issuer.
The small rice farmers can use the cash they receive for daily subsistence and personal needs, said Agriculture Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Leocadio Sebastian.
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reassured the public that there is an ample supply of necessities and prime agricultural goods in local markets.
This assurance follows a special visit by the DA to the Commonwealth Market, in Quezon City.
“Based on the price monitoring at the Commonwealth, retail prices of most agricultural commodities increased compared to last month’s prices in the wake of the holiday festivities,” stated the DA.
“However, today’s prevailing retail prices showed zero to minimal movement from that of the previous week, thus confirming sufficient supply,” it added.
With the anticipated arrival of 495,000 metric tons of imported basic food from Taiwan and India until February 2024, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa previously assured that there would be an adequate supply of rice.
“That is the hope of all our countrymen — for the retail price of rice to go down. However, we have continuous challenges, such as the El Niño phenomenon, which can affect the areas planted with palay,” said De Mesa.
(IAmigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Acknowledging the importance of the private sector in developing the country’s economy, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. has pronounced that he is considering tapping the sector’s help in formulating national policies and programs to fast-track the modernization of agriculture in increasing food production and ensure food security.
Since he was appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr to lead the DA in early in November, Laurel has met government officials, investors, industry experts, farmers, fishermen, and other sector stakeholders to drum up support for the agency’s push for food self-sufficiency, reduction of agricultural products importation, and to make agriculture a career-option for the younger generation.
“The collaboration of government and the private sector is crucial. We highlight the efforts and dedication of our partners in building a sustainable set of options for the future of agriculture and fisheries,” Laurel stressed in his speech during the recent National Agriculture and Fisheries Volunteers’ Day celebration and awarding ceremony of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF).
He noted that that through the years the private sector has been “an invaluable partner of the Department of Agriculture in the development process of the industry.”
“Prompting people participation and ensuring sustainable development through sound policy recommendations are key factors that we can embrace to maintain a functional and holistic approach in dealing with the sector’s challenges,” the Agriculture chief said.
He added: “We’ve been stressing from day one—since I was appointed as the new Agriculture Secretary—the need to modernize the agriculture sector, not only to feed 118 million Filipinos but ensure food security by practicing a whole-of-nation approach.”
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — The Commission on Appointment approved the appointment of Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as the Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary after he appeared in his confirmation hearing.
It can be recalled that after more than a year of the President’s administration of the agency, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed a Secretary who will focus on issues and other matters in the DA.
Laurel is a fishing tycoon, as well as the President’s childhood pal.
Before the confirmation at the committee level earlier, Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned the possible influence or “conflict of interest” of his businesses in the agency where the Secretary assured that the DA’s policies will not favor their family’s companies and businesses.
The Agriculture Secretary has also resigned and divested all the more than 60 companies owned through ‘deed of sale.’
Laurel further said that in addition to the reforms in the agency, there will be reorganization of the DA in January, changes in the system to be investor.
“I am now 56 and I’ve been called to serve the country—to lead it out of high food prices; low food production; broken food supply chains; lack of irrigation, cold storage, credit, and other key inputs; and ageing farmers and fisherfolk. Add climate change and geopolitical disruptions to this mix, and the task to feed all 118 million Filipinos becomes even more daunting,” Laurel added.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday expressed optimism that the supply of rice in the country will be stable in the first quarter of 2024.
DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa noted the peak of harvest for the wet season has already started this October.
He added that the national stock inventory of rice is expected to last up to 77 days and up to 94 days at the end of the harvest this November.
With this development, De Mesa said the national stock inventory of rice is expected to reach up to 2.4 million metric tons at the end of the third quarter of 2024, which will last for about 60 to 90 days.
However, the DA kept mum on the feasibility that the P20 per kilo of rice will be achieved next year.
Then presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr vowed during the campaign in 2022 that if elected, he would pull down the price per kilo of rice to P20. (ai/mnm)
The Department of Agriculture (DA), in collaboration with Farm Fresh, a recently harvested produce brand, initiated the ‘Adopt-A-Town, Adopt-A-Farmer Program’ at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management Convention Hall on Friday, October 13, 2023. This event took place along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City and aimed to provide marketing support for local farmers.
Farm Fresh’s inaugural project, “Instant Chopsuey and Pinakbet,” was officially introduced during this event. The primary objective behind this project is to minimize, and ideally eliminate, post-harvest losses and the surplus of agricultural produce.
In photographs from the event, you can see DA officials posing with fresh farm produce to mark the launch of the “Adopt-A-Town” and “Adopt-A-Farmer” program.
(Report & photography by Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured the public that the country has enough rice supply until next year due to a “bumper harvest” during the wet season, stressing that they do not see any movement of rice prices in the market.
“Mataas o bumper iyong ating harvest ngayong wet season. Magmula po noong katapusan ng Agosto, ngayong Setyembre hanggang Oktubre, hanggang sa Nobyembre po ay inaasahan po natin na talagang wala po tayong inaasahan na pagsipa pa ng presyo,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said during the “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” briefing.
De Mesa furthered that a stable supply of rice began in August this year, and is expected to last until next month.
“So, maaasahan po natin na maganda at malaki po iyong national inventory natin ng bigas … Maasahan po natin na talagang sapat at maganda at matatag po ang supply ng bigas natin na maaasahan po natin hanggang sa pagpasok po ng susunod na taon na 2024,” he said.
De Mesa said that the government is also working on reducing the cost of production in the Philippines in order to ensure the affordable prices of basic commodities in the market.
Meanwhile, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said that the Philippines may lose 1.46 million metric tons of rice due to the onset of El Niño.
The estimated loss was calculated using the 267,000 hectares of rice fields that could be harmed by the dry period.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
TWO senators want to realign the P50-million confidential funds of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to anti-smuggling bodies to address this issue.
This was the statement of Senators Cynthia Villar and Raffy Tulfo after learning that the DA was given millions of confidential funds under the National Expenditure’s Program (NEP).
According to Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, P50-M will be allocated for “enforcement” and “smuggling.”
Tulfo questioned this and said that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) should be the agency to respond to smuggling.
“I-surrender ninyo na lang po at ibigay ninyo na lang po sa ibang mga agency na nangangailangan tulad ng Coast Guard. Siguro kailangan natin dahil palaging nagkakaproblema tayo sa West Philippine Sea,” Tulfo said.
Villar supported Tulfo’s statement and added that it is not within the DA’s mandate to address smuggling.
“The enforcement agency against smuggler and cartel…would be coming from the law enforcement agency, not DA,” the senator said.
(ai/mnm)