The Department of Agriculture (DA) is asking for a PHP21 billion increase in its 2026 budget to PHP176.7 billion from PHP155.6 billion budgetary allocation in 2025.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the PHP176.7 billion proposed budget includes a tripled P30 billion allocation for the Rice Enhancement Competitiveness Fund and P43.9 billion for national programs supporting rice, corn, high-value crops, organic agriculture, livestock, and urban farming.
“We must perform well. We cannot ask for more resources if we fail to deliver,” Secretary Tiu Laurel said dyring the agency’s Management Committee meeting of the country’s main food agency.
He highlighted a slowdown in fund obligations during the second quarter after a strong start earlier this year. Amid these challenges, the DA is pushing amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law and the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, aiming to strengthen support for farmers and stakeholders and correcting policies that slows down the sector’s growth.
“We need to move as one unit—sharing our talents, acknowledging our limits, and paddling in unison, just as a dragon boat crew moves to the steady rhythm of a single beat—the beat of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision for modern, inclusive, and resilient agriculture,” he said.
To bolster support for legislative reforms, Secretary Tiu Laurel recently met with Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga and Senator Francis Pangilinan, chairs of the House and Senate agriculture committees, rallying bipartisan backing for the reforms.
