News Details

Marcos Praises DA Reforms, Highlights Major Gains in Farmers’ and Fishers’ Livelihoods

NPO

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December 16, 2025

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has lauded the Department of Agriculture (DA) for its continued reforms and tangible gains that are strengthening the livelihoods of Filipino farmers and fishers, Malacañang said Monday.

Speaking during a Palace briefing, Press Officer Claire Castro reported that the President expressed satisfaction with the progress of key agriculture initiatives, particularly programs designed to improve market access and post-harvest infrastructure across the country.

Among the flagship efforts cited was the establishment of 33 Agri-Food Hub units in strategic areas including Pampanga, Quezon, Camarines Sur, and Bukidnon. The hubs aim to improve market linkages for local agricultural products while increasing income opportunities for producers.

“The Agri-Food Hub is designed to strengthen the marketing of agricultural goods and uplift the livelihoods of farmers and fishers,” Castro said in Filipino.

The Marcos administration has also accelerated the rollout of Rice Processing Systems (RPS) nationwide, with 127 units already completed and 18 more currently under construction, enhancing value-adding capabilities and reducing post-harvest losses.

Castro emphasized that the President remains deeply committed to the welfare of the agriculture sector.

“Under the leadership of the President, progress is meant for everyone—especially farmers and fishers who are close to his heart,” she said.

Further strengthening the country’s food supply chain, the DA is set to inaugurate a mega cold storage facility in Pili, Camarines Sur, in January 2026. An additional 33 cold storage sites are also planned for development in various regions nationwide.

— NPO News Team | PNA-PR