News Details

DA Seeks ?74B for Agri Programs, ?30B for Rice Competitiveness Fund

NPO

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August 16, 2025

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking ₱73.9 billion in the 2026 proposed budget to fund key agricultural programs and strengthen support for rice farmers struggling against cheaper imports.

In a statement Friday, the DA said ₱43.9 billion would be allocated to national programs on rice, corn, high-value crops, organic farming, livestock, and urban agriculture. Another ₱30 billion – triple this year’s allocation – would go to the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

The budget request forms part of the agency’s ₱176.7-billion overall spending plan for 2026, a 13-percent increase from this year’s ₱155.6 billion, now under congressional review.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the proposed programs aim to boost productivity and ensure food security while warning DA officials to deliver results.

“We’ve come a long way, but the journey ahead remains long. While we have achieved much, there is still more to be done to realize our shared goal,” Tiu Laurel told senior officials at a two-day management committee meeting.

“We must perform well. We cannot ask for more resources if we fail to deliver,” he added, noting that fund disbursements slowed in the second quarter after a strong start early this year.

The DA also said it is pushing amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law and the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act to enhance farmer support and remove policy bottlenecks hampering sector growth.

Tiu Laurel recently met with Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga and Sen. Francis Pangilinan, chairs of the House and Senate agriculture committees, to seek congressional backing for these reforms.

Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed agricultural output grew 5.7 percent in Q2 2025, driven by favorable weather and stronger harvests, reversing the 3.2-percent drop recorded in the same period last year.

— NPO News Team / DA-PR