By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter
\nDENNIS IVAN CHAVEZ, a 25-year-old computer engineering graduate from Mindanao State University\u2019s Iligan Institute of Technology, didn\u2019t know he would one day co-found FrescoGreenovations, an agriculture-based startup that provides automation services for farms and gardens.
\n\u201cI come from a family of Igorot farmers and traders, but as time went on, they slowly moved away from farming and pursued other careers,\u201d he told 大象传媒.
\nWhen the pandemic hit, the online gaming and tech enthusiast had a chance to try other things that he said weren\u2019t taught in his university subjects, one of which was hydroponics.
\n\u201cThe harvest gave me a lot of dopamine. I turned to my high school classmates who took up agriculture and got them onboard We supplied a few food businesses and households,\u201d he said.
\nFrescoGreenovations in January registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, over two years after it was chosen to be part of a Department of Agriculture (DA) program for aspiring farmers.
\n\u201cWe pivoted to becoming an agritech startup after we received the funds. It was a rollercoaster of events after that, a lot of ups and downs,\u201d according to Mr. Chavez, who was 21 years old when he and his teammates received a grant of P100,000 from the government.
\nThe startup, now run by seven people including licensed agriculturists and computer engineers, is currently working with a private school that seeks to build a campus-based greenhouse farm equipped with sensors, actuators, and other farm management systems.
\n\u201cThe growing global interest in farming, with its related impact on food security, climate change, population growth, and technological innovation, shifts the concept from traditional labor-intensive practices to agritech entrepreneurship,\u201d Science and Technology Secretary Renato U. Solidum told 大象传媒.
\n\u201cThis gives young Filipinos the opportunity to engage in farming innovations, build startups, and earn more competitively,\u201d he said, noting that artificial intelligence (AI)-driven decision tools, drones, sensors, and satellite data are helping attract young people to farming.
\n\u201cEven during the pandemic, there was explosive interest in urban and vertical farming,\u201d he said.
\nIn his fourth address to Congress, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. urged the young to consider agriculture-related careers, citing state support for agrarian reform beneficiaries, including the distribution of land titles.
\n\u201cAgriculture courses, programs, and scholarships are awaiting the youth, so that agriculture will be their source of livelihood in the future, and they can continue this honorable livelihood of their parents,\u201d he said.
\nWhile the Philippines is making important strides in integrating climate-smart agriculture in the education system, with universities like the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Ba\u00f1os and Tarlac Agricultural University offering specialized courses on sustainable agriculture and agri technology, \u201cmuch more needs to be done to reframe agriculture as a modern, tech-driven sector \u2014 not a fallback career,\u201d Manila Business Club (MBC) Executive Director Rafael ASG Ongpin said in an interview.
\nHe said embedding agriculture and sustainability concepts into the K-12 curriculum, coupled with training teachers, is essential to cultivate a generation open to the opportunities and challenges of climate-smart agriculture.
\n\u201cIt is also critical for educational institutions to partner with private sector innovators who can offer internships and hands-on experience,\u201d he added.
\n\u201cOtherwise, we\u2019ll continue losing young talent to urban jobs. The goal is to make farming attractive, viable, and future-ready.\u201d
\nThe average age of Filipino rice farmers is 56 and climbing. Government data indicate that agriculture and forestry lost almost 950,000 jobs in February mainly due to typhoons that devastated farmland.
\nCiting the Food and Agriculture Organization, a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) report by economist Roehlano M. Briones published in December 2021 estimated the country\u2019s arable land at 12.44 million hectares.
\nPIDS found declining productivity and structural inefficiencies, with farm sizes shrinking.
\nThe government through the DA and Department of Science and Technology (DoST) has been stepping up efforts to promote climate-smart and precision technologies in agriculture, which recently sustained P3 billion in losses after monsoon rains and three storms hit the country in late July.
\nFor its part, the DoST has been providing farmers with knowledge and tools on pest identification that can help minimize infestations and damage to crops and seed grants to agri-based startups, according to Mr. Solidum.
\nHe noted that its AI-powered decision support system for farmers, known as Project SarAI (Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry) co-developed with UP Los Ba\u00f1os will be rolled out nationwide through its regional offices \u201cvery soon,\u201d especially in areas frequently affected by extreme weather.
\nThe project combines remote sensing, crop modeling, and localized weather data to provide timely advisories for farmers and help them decide when to irrigate, plant, or harvest.
\n\u201cClimate change has made farming more unpredictable and risky, with extreme weather events, shifting rainfall patterns, and soil degradation affecting yields,\u201d Mr. Solidum noted.
\nHe cited the need for tech-driven farming \u2014 from smart irrigation systems that conserve water to AI-based weather and crop modeling that helps reduce risk.
\n\u201cWith precision agriculture, farmers can maximize productivity while minimizing inputs, waste, and environmental impact, which are crucial in adapting to a changing climate,\u201d he said.
\nAmong the beneficiaries of the DoST\u2019s programs is agriculture-based startup GreenVisionsPh (formerly Waste4Good), which initially found itself thriving in transforming food waste into fertilizer.
\n\u201cOver time, as we listened more deeply to farmers, we realized that waste was only one part of a much broader challenge. There was also a glaring gap in farming precision and sustainability,\u201d according to its Chief Executive Officer and Founder Lorilyn P. Daquioag.
\nShe cited the case of a client who, despite generating approximately P70 million annually from a 40-hectare banana farm, had struggled with \u201calarmingly high\u201d production costs of up to P45.5 million.
\nWith no baseline data, no regular soil tests, and no monitoring systems, the client\u2019s approach had been largely based on guesswork, a situation that reflects the reality in many farms, according to Ms. Daquioag.
\n\u201cThat realization became our turning point. It led us to pivot into what is now GreenVisionsPh, which operates like a \u201chospital for farms\u201d \u2014 bringing diagnostics, monitoring, and treatment directly to the field in real time,\u201d she said.
\nThe startup has an AI-powered, offline-capable device that provides soil and disease assessments in five minutes, helping small-scale banana growers in Mindanao save up to 50% on inputs.
\nThe device is complemented by its AIMS (Agricultural Intelligence & Monitoring System) for real-time data tracking, and microbial treatments that resulted in 25% faster crop growth, 52% higher yields, and up to 93% healing efficiency against Fusarium Wilt TR4 (Panama disease) in trials.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s a growing space for agri-tech startups like GreenVisionsPh, especially now that food security, climate change, and farm sustainability are top concerns,\u201d Ms. Daquioag said, noting that farmers and agri-stakeholders are actively looking for solutions that are science-based, scalable, and grounded in real field experience.
\n\u201cAs a startup, we\u2019re able to move fast, stay close to our users, and build tech that directly responds to what farmers actually need,\u201d she said.
\nHowever, Ms. Daquoiag noted challenges for agri-tech startups like limited funding for research and development and fragmented distribution channels.
\n\u201cSome farmers are also reluctant to try unfamiliar solutions, especially when their livelihood is at stake,\u201d she said.
\n\u201cOn top of that, infrastructure \u2014 like poor internet in rural areas \u2014 makes digital adoption slower than it should be,\u201d she added.
\nShe said climate change, food insecurity, and rising input costs are forcing the industry to rethink the way it practices farming, opening the door for precision technologies and sustainability-focused tools.
\nMr. Chavez, the hydroponic farmer, said the lack of large data banks is hindering AI-driven agriculture startups.
\n\u201cTo have reliable AI, we need big data, large data banks which we do not have. We haven\u2019t even completed our digital transformation,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cThese systems also allow ease of aggregating data. The more data we feed into the system, the better it gets.\u201d
\nMr. Ongpin of MBC said the \u201cpromise of technology is not enough without market reforms.\u201d
\n\u201cFarmers must be able to sell at fair prices,\u201d he said, noting that many rice farmers sell palay at just P8\u201310 per kilo \u2014 barely enough to recover costs or break even \u2014 while retail rice sells for P35\u201340.
\nHe cited persistent inefficiencies in the supply chain and unchecked imports that leave farmers with unsold stocks.
\n\u201cWithout fair market access and better infrastructure, no amount of technology will make farming appealing to the youth,\u201d Mr. Ongpin said.
\nThe MBC in 2024 launched an agriculture advocacy program to help raise farmer incomes and lower food prices.
\nThe group currently provides training to farmer cooperatives, focusing on business management and market access.
\nIt also assists in the professionalization of cooperatives and connects them with large businesses.
\nThe MBC said the government should help farmers connect to stable markets, noting that technology adoption only makes sense when there is clear, consistent demand.
\n\u201cThe government must first put in place coherent trade and procurement policies that protect and prioritize local production,\u201d it said. \u201cOnly then can efforts to scale climate-smart agriculture succeed.\u201d
\nIt also urged the government to address what it called a \u201ctrust gap,\u201d as many farmers don\u2019t benefit from support programs because of unclear targeting, limited transparency, and poor coordination across agencies.
\n\u201cThis undermines confidence in government initiatives and discourages the adoption of new practices and technology,\u201d Mr. Ongpin said.
\n\u201cClimate-smart agriculture will only succeed if the government lays the groundwork: functional infrastructure, clear and consistent rules, and strong support for farmers \u2014 while enabling the private sector to do what it does best: innovate, invest, and build competitive markets.\u201d
\n", "content_text": "By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter\nDENNIS IVAN CHAVEZ, a 25-year-old computer engineering graduate from Mindanao State University\u2019s Iligan Institute of Technology, didn\u2019t know he would one day co-found FrescoGreenovations, an agriculture-based startup that provides automation services for farms and gardens.\n\u201cI come from a family of Igorot farmers and traders, but as time went on, they slowly moved away from farming and pursued other careers,\u201d he told 大象传媒.\nWhen the pandemic hit, the online gaming and tech enthusiast had a chance to try other things that he said weren\u2019t taught in his university subjects, one of which was hydroponics.\n\u201cThe harvest gave me a lot of dopamine. I turned to my high school classmates who took up agriculture and got them onboard We supplied a few food businesses and households,\u201d he said.\nFrescoGreenovations in January registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, over two years after it was chosen to be part of a Department of Agriculture (DA) program for aspiring farmers.\n\u201cWe pivoted to becoming an agritech startup after we received the funds. It was a rollercoaster of events after that, a lot of ups and downs,\u201d according to Mr. Chavez, who was 21 years old when he and his teammates received a grant of P100,000 from the government.\nThe startup, now run by seven people including licensed agriculturists and computer engineers, is currently working with a private school that seeks to build a campus-based greenhouse farm equipped with sensors, actuators, and other farm management systems.\n\u201cThe growing global interest in farming, with its related impact on food security, climate change, population growth, and technological innovation, shifts the concept from traditional labor-intensive practices to agritech entrepreneurship,\u201d Science and Technology Secretary Renato U. Solidum told 大象传媒.\n\u201cThis gives young Filipinos the opportunity to engage in farming innovations, build startups, and earn more competitively,\u201d he said, noting that artificial intelligence (AI)-driven decision tools, drones, sensors, and satellite data are helping attract young people to farming.\n\u201cEven during the pandemic, there was explosive interest in urban and vertical farming,\u201d he said.\nIn his fourth address to Congress, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. urged the young to consider agriculture-related careers, citing state support for agrarian reform beneficiaries, including the distribution of land titles.\n\u201cAgriculture courses, programs, and scholarships are awaiting the youth, so that agriculture will be their source of livelihood in the future, and they can continue this honorable livelihood of their parents,\u201d he said.\nWhile the Philippines is making important strides in integrating climate-smart agriculture in the education system, with universities like the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Ba\u00f1os and Tarlac Agricultural University offering specialized courses on sustainable agriculture and agri technology, \u201cmuch more needs to be done to reframe agriculture as a modern, tech-driven sector \u2014 not a fallback career,\u201d Manila Business Club (MBC) Executive Director Rafael ASG Ongpin said in an interview.\nHe said embedding agriculture and sustainability concepts into the K-12 curriculum, coupled with training teachers, is essential to cultivate a generation open to the opportunities and challenges of climate-smart agriculture.\n\u201cIt is also critical for educational institutions to partner with private sector innovators who can offer internships and hands-on experience,\u201d he added.\n\u201cOtherwise, we\u2019ll continue losing young talent to urban jobs. The goal is to make farming attractive, viable, and future-ready.\u201d\nThe average age of Filipino rice farmers is 56 and climbing. Government data indicate that agriculture and forestry lost almost 950,000 jobs in February mainly due to typhoons that devastated farmland.\nCiting the Food and Agriculture Organization, a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) report by economist Roehlano M. Briones published in December 2021 estimated the country\u2019s arable land at 12.44 million hectares.\nPIDS found declining productivity and structural inefficiencies, with farm sizes shrinking.\nThe government through the DA and Department of Science and Technology (DoST) has been stepping up efforts to promote climate-smart and precision technologies in agriculture, which recently sustained P3 billion in losses after monsoon rains and three storms hit the country in late July.\nFor its part, the DoST has been providing farmers with knowledge and tools on pest identification that can help minimize infestations and damage to crops and seed grants to agri-based startups, according to Mr. Solidum.\nHe noted that its AI-powered decision support system for farmers, known as Project SarAI (Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry) co-developed with UP Los Ba\u00f1os will be rolled out nationwide through its regional offices \u201cvery soon,\u201d especially in areas frequently affected by extreme weather.\nThe project combines remote sensing, crop modeling, and localized weather data to provide timely advisories for farmers and help them decide when to irrigate, plant, or harvest.\n\u201cClimate change has made farming more unpredictable and risky, with extreme weather events, shifting rainfall patterns, and soil degradation affecting yields,\u201d Mr. Solidum noted.\nHe cited the need for tech-driven farming \u2014 from smart irrigation systems that conserve water to AI-based weather and crop modeling that helps reduce risk.\n\u201cWith precision agriculture, farmers can maximize productivity while minimizing inputs, waste, and environmental impact, which are crucial in adapting to a changing climate,\u201d he said.\nAmong the beneficiaries of the DoST\u2019s programs is agriculture-based startup GreenVisionsPh (formerly Waste4Good), which initially found itself thriving in transforming food waste into fertilizer.\n\u201cOver time, as we listened more deeply to farmers, we realized that waste was only one part of a much broader challenge. There was also a glaring gap in farming precision and sustainability,\u201d according to its Chief Executive Officer and Founder Lorilyn P. Daquioag.\nShe cited the case of a client who, despite generating approximately P70 million annually from a 40-hectare banana farm, had struggled with \u201calarmingly high\u201d production costs of up to P45.5 million.\nWith no baseline data, no regular soil tests, and no monitoring systems, the client\u2019s approach had been largely based on guesswork, a situation that reflects the reality in many farms, according to Ms. Daquioag.\n\u201cThat realization became our turning point. It led us to pivot into what is now GreenVisionsPh, which operates like a \u201chospital for farms\u201d \u2014 bringing diagnostics, monitoring, and treatment directly to the field in real time,\u201d she said.\nThe startup has an AI-powered, offline-capable device that provides soil and disease assessments in five minutes, helping small-scale banana growers in Mindanao save up to 50% on inputs.\nThe device is complemented by its AIMS (Agricultural Intelligence & Monitoring System) for real-time data tracking, and microbial treatments that resulted in 25% faster crop growth, 52% higher yields, and up to 93% healing efficiency against Fusarium Wilt TR4 (Panama disease) in trials.\n\u201cThere\u2019s a growing space for agri-tech startups like GreenVisionsPh, especially now that food security, climate change, and farm sustainability are top concerns,\u201d Ms. Daquioag said, noting that farmers and agri-stakeholders are actively looking for solutions that are science-based, scalable, and grounded in real field experience.\n\u201cAs a startup, we\u2019re able to move fast, stay close to our users, and build tech that directly responds to what farmers actually need,\u201d she said.\nHowever, Ms. Daquoiag noted challenges for agri-tech startups like limited funding for research and development and fragmented distribution channels.\n\u201cSome farmers are also reluctant to try unfamiliar solutions, especially when their livelihood is at stake,\u201d she said.\n\u201cOn top of that, infrastructure \u2014 like poor internet in rural areas \u2014 makes digital adoption slower than it should be,\u201d she added.\nShe said climate change, food insecurity, and rising input costs are forcing the industry to rethink the way it practices farming, opening the door for precision technologies and sustainability-focused tools.\nMr. Chavez, the hydroponic farmer, said the lack of large data banks is hindering AI-driven agriculture startups.\n\u201cTo have reliable AI, we need big data, large data banks which we do not have. We haven\u2019t even completed our digital transformation,\u201d he said.\n\u201cThese systems also allow ease of aggregating data. The more data we feed into the system, the better it gets.\u201d\nMr. Ongpin of MBC said the \u201cpromise of technology is not enough without market reforms.\u201d\n\u201cFarmers must be able to sell at fair prices,\u201d he said, noting that many rice farmers sell palay at just P8\u201310 per kilo \u2014 barely enough to recover costs or break even \u2014 while retail rice sells for P35\u201340.\nHe cited persistent inefficiencies in the supply chain and unchecked imports that leave farmers with unsold stocks.\n\u201cWithout fair market access and better infrastructure, no amount of technology will make farming appealing to the youth,\u201d Mr. Ongpin said.\nThe MBC in 2024 launched an agriculture advocacy program to help raise farmer incomes and lower food prices.\nThe group currently provides training to farmer cooperatives, focusing on business management and market access.\nIt also assists in the professionalization of cooperatives and connects them with large businesses.\nThe MBC said the government should help farmers connect to stable markets, noting that technology adoption only makes sense when there is clear, consistent demand.\n\u201cThe government must first put in place coherent trade and procurement policies that protect and prioritize local production,\u201d it said. \u201cOnly then can efforts to scale climate-smart agriculture succeed.\u201d\nIt also urged the government to address what it called a \u201ctrust gap,\u201d as many farmers don\u2019t benefit from support programs because of unclear targeting, limited transparency, and poor coordination across agencies.\n\u201cThis undermines confidence in government initiatives and discourages the adoption of new practices and technology,\u201d Mr. Ongpin said.\n\u201cClimate-smart agriculture will only succeed if the government lays the groundwork: functional infrastructure, clear and consistent rules, and strong support for farmers \u2014 while enabling the private sector to do what it does best: innovate, invest, and build competitive markets.\u201d", "date_published": "2025-09-08T00:02:04+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-09-07T14:24:32+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Farmer-uses-ai-technology-to-monitor-crops.jpg", "tags": [ "BW38", "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Special Reports" ], "summary": "DENNIS IVAN CHAVEZ, a 25-year-old computer engineering graduate from Mindanao State University\u2019s Iligan Institute of Technology, didn\u2019t know he would one day co-found FrescoGreenovations, an agriculture-based startup that provides automation services for farms and gardens." }, { "id": "/?p=695671", "url": "/economy/2025/09/03/695671/agri-dept-calls-for-more-support-for-tuna-industry/", "title": "Agri dep\u2019t calls for more support for tuna industry", "content_html": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday that the tuna industry needs more support in the wake of difficulties in obtaining sustainability certifications to export their products.
\nIn a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said on Wednesday\u00a0 that the tuna industry faces threats from \u201cclimate change, global sustainability mandates, labor issues, and the persistent threat of IUU (illegal, unreported, unregulated) fishing.\u201d
\nHe called for science-based management of tuna stocks and stronger support for the industry.
\nA recent Supreme Court ruling allowing commercial fishing operations to ply municipal waters has cast doubt on sustainability claims for Philippine tuna, the Philippine Association of Tuna Processors, Inc., has said.
\nSustainability certificates enable the Philippines to access crucial export markets that require traceability and sustainability of fish resources, it noted.
\nPhilippine tuna production rose to 494,047.02 MT in 2024 from 409,797.17 MT in 2023, the DA has reported.
\nTuna exports rose 31% to $514.47 million in 2024, it added \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday that the tuna industry needs more support in the wake of difficulties in obtaining sustainability certifications to export their products.\nIn a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said on Wednesday\u00a0 that the tuna industry faces threats from \u201cclimate change, global sustainability mandates, labor issues, and the persistent threat of IUU (illegal, unreported, unregulated) fishing.\u201d\nHe called for science-based management of tuna stocks and stronger support for the industry.\nA recent Supreme Court ruling allowing commercial fishing operations to ply municipal waters has cast doubt on sustainability claims for Philippine tuna, the Philippine Association of Tuna Processors, Inc., has said.\nSustainability certificates enable the Philippines to access crucial export markets that require traceability and sustainability of fish resources, it noted.\nPhilippine tuna production rose to 494,047.02 MT in 2024 from 409,797.17 MT in 2023, the DA has reported.\nTuna exports rose 31% to $514.47 million in 2024, it added \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-09-03T21:03:05+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-09-03T21:06:37+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Fisherman.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy", "One News" ] }, { "id": "/?p=695406", "url": "/economy/2025/09/02/695406/jeepney-tricycle-drivers-added-to-p20-rice-program/", "title": "Jeepney, tricycle drivers added to P20 rice program", "content_html": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will begin distributing P20-per-kilo rice to jeepney and tricycle drivers next month.
\n\u201cWe will initially roll out the P20 rice program for tricycle and jeepney drivers on Sept. 16 in five pilot areas,\u201d Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said on Friday.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re coordinating with Department of Transportation (DoTr ) which holds the TODA (Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association) database.\u201d
\nOne of the first pilot areas is Navotas City, which has 4,000 accredited drivers.
\nInitially launched for solo parents, senior citizens, 4Ps beneficiaries, and persons with disabilities, the P20 rice program has expanded to cover minimum wage earners, rice farmers, and now fisherfolk.
\nNext in line are beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development\u2019s Walang Gutom program and low-income staff of the Department of Education.
\nThe DA said the phased rollout aims to gather critical data on rice consumption, logistics, and supply requirements.
\n\u201cThis will guide a planned nationwide expansion in 2026, which the President envisions will reach 15 million households,\u201d it said.
\nThe DA also plans to launch the P20 App on Oct. 1. The app is designed to facilitate efficient logistics, ensure transparency, and prevent abuse.
\nMr. Laurel said rice stocks are sufficient with the National Food Authority planning to auction 1.2 million bags of rice in October.
\nThe rice will first be offered in September to government relief agencies, and whatever is left will be offered to the private sector. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will begin distributing P20-per-kilo rice to jeepney and tricycle drivers next month.\n\u201cWe will initially roll out the P20 rice program for tricycle and jeepney drivers on Sept. 16 in five pilot areas,\u201d Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said on Friday.\n\u201cWe\u2019re coordinating with Department of Transportation (DoTr ) which holds the TODA (Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association) database.\u201d\nOne of the first pilot areas is Navotas City, which has 4,000 accredited drivers.\nInitially launched for solo parents, senior citizens, 4Ps beneficiaries, and persons with disabilities, the P20 rice program has expanded to cover minimum wage earners, rice farmers, and now fisherfolk.\nNext in line are beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development\u2019s Walang Gutom program and low-income staff of the Department of Education.\nThe DA said the phased rollout aims to gather critical data on rice consumption, logistics, and supply requirements.\n\u201cThis will guide a planned nationwide expansion in 2026, which the President envisions will reach 15 million households,\u201d it said.\nThe DA also plans to launch the P20 App on Oct. 1. The app is designed to facilitate efficient logistics, ensure transparency, and prevent abuse.\nMr. Laurel said rice stocks are sufficient with the National Food Authority planning to auction 1.2 million bags of rice in October.\nThe rice will first be offered in September to government relief agencies, and whatever is left will be offered to the private sector. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-09-02T21:09:48+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-09-02T21:09:48+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/TRICYCLE-terminal.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy", "Editors' Picks", "One News" ] }, { "id": "/?p=695405", "url": "/economy/2025/09/02/695405/rice-importers-expected-to-pass-on-costs-if-ordered-to-maintain-reserves/", "title": "Rice importers expected to pass on costs if ordered to maintain reserves", "content_html": "THE Department of Agriculture\u2019s (DA) proposal to require private importers to share the responsibility of maintaining the country\u2019s rice reserves could send retail prices higher, a farmers\u2019 group warned.
\nFederation of Free Farmers National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor said importers will likely charge consumers for the expense of maintaining extra inventory.
\n\u201cIf importers shoulder the cost for importing the government share, they will try to recover that by raising their selling prices which may defeat the purpose of buffer stocks,\u201d he said via Viber.
\nAgriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. floated a plan to Senators that private importers should take some responsibility for maintaining the national rice reserves, which are tapped during emergencies.
\n\u201cIf we aim to have a 20-day rice buffer stock, we\u2019re thinking of a 50-50 split between the National Food Authority (NFA) and the private sector,\u201d he said.
\nUnder the proposed setup, rice imports will follow a controlled model similar to the sugar import program of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, under which only qualified importers are given import allocations.\u00a0
\nImporters, in turn, would be obligated to procure palay (unmilled rice) from farmers at fair prices to build up their reserves.
\nMr. Montemayor noted that the local purchase requirement for importers has been questioned in the World Trade Organization as a restrictive policy.
\nIn Singapore, importers are required to reserve 10% of their imports as government reserves, but noted that \u201c50-50 appears too big.\u201d
\n\u201cSugar has a different scheme. SRA issues sugar import quotas, arriving shipments are put into reserve and cannot be sold without SRA approval,\u201d he said. \u201cBut the government does not acquire any of the imports.\u201d
\nMarie Annette Galvez-Dacul, executive director of the UA&P Center for Food and Agri Business, said the proposal, among the DA\u2019s suggested amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law, is \u201ca welcome shift from dependence on imports to strengthening supply chains.\u201d
\nBut she said, \u201cexecution will be the real test.\u201d
\n\u201cI agree with this arrangement where private rice importers are given quotas accordingly,\u201d former agriculture secretary William Dar said.
\n\u201cWe should further support the idea that provinces with less rice production to maintain buffer stocks as well,\u201d he added.\u00a0\u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE Department of Agriculture\u2019s (DA) proposal to require private importers to share the responsibility of maintaining the country\u2019s rice reserves could send retail prices higher, a farmers\u2019 group warned.\nFederation of Free Farmers National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor said importers will likely charge consumers for the expense of maintaining extra inventory.\n\u201cIf importers shoulder the cost for importing the government share, they will try to recover that by raising their selling prices which may defeat the purpose of buffer stocks,\u201d he said via Viber.\nAgriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. floated a plan to Senators that private importers should take some responsibility for maintaining the national rice reserves, which are tapped during emergencies.\n\u201cIf we aim to have a 20-day rice buffer stock, we\u2019re thinking of a 50-50 split between the National Food Authority (NFA) and the private sector,\u201d he said.\nUnder the proposed setup, rice imports will follow a controlled model similar to the sugar import program of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, under which only qualified importers are given import allocations.\u00a0\nImporters, in turn, would be obligated to procure palay (unmilled rice) from farmers at fair prices to build up their reserves.\nMr. Montemayor noted that the local purchase requirement for importers has been questioned in the World Trade Organization as a restrictive policy.\nIn Singapore, importers are required to reserve 10% of their imports as government reserves, but noted that \u201c50-50 appears too big.\u201d\n\u201cSugar has a different scheme. SRA issues sugar import quotas, arriving shipments are put into reserve and cannot be sold without SRA approval,\u201d he said. \u201cBut the government does not acquire any of the imports.\u201d\nMarie Annette Galvez-Dacul, executive director of the UA&P Center for Food and Agri Business, said the proposal, among the DA\u2019s suggested amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law, is \u201ca welcome shift from dependence on imports to strengthening supply chains.\u201d\nBut she said, \u201cexecution will be the real test.\u201d\n\u201cI agree with this arrangement where private rice importers are given quotas accordingly,\u201d former agriculture secretary William Dar said.\n\u201cWe should further support the idea that provinces with less rice production to maintain buffer stocks as well,\u201d he added.\u00a0\u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-09-02T21:09:04+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-09-02T21:09:04+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/rice-worker.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy", "Editors' Picks", "One News" ] }, { "id": "/?p=695397", "url": "/economy/2025/09/02/695397/davao-gulf-closed-fishing-season-ends/", "title": "Davao Gulf closed fishing season ends", "content_html": "THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region XI has declared the end of the closed fishing season in the Davao Gulf.
\nThe three-month ban, enforced between June 1 and Aug. 31, was authorized by Joint Administrative Order No. 02 series of 2014 issued by the departments of Agriculture (DA) and Interior and Local Government.
\nBFAR XI Regional Director Relly B. Garcia said the seasonal closure is designed to ensure the sustainability of the Davao Gulf\u2019s fisheries and aquatic resources.
\n\u201cThis is a science-based approach to conservation. But\u00a0 we also recognize the economic impact on our coastal communities, which is why we mobilized a multi-agency support initiative to assist affected fisherfolk,\u201d she said.
\nThe closed season allows small pelagic fish species to regenerate. These include big-eyed scad (matambaka), mackerel (karabalyas), and round scad (galunggong).
\nDuring the closed season, the DA provided chickens and goats to fishing communities in Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, and Davao City, with additional livestock distribution set pending availability.
\nThe Region XI Department of Labor and Employment also allocated 200 slots for short-term employment under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region XI has declared the end of the closed fishing season in the Davao Gulf.\nThe three-month ban, enforced between June 1 and Aug. 31, was authorized by Joint Administrative Order No. 02 series of 2014 issued by the departments of Agriculture (DA) and Interior and Local Government.\nBFAR XI Regional Director Relly B. Garcia said the seasonal closure is designed to ensure the sustainability of the Davao Gulf\u2019s fisheries and aquatic resources.\n\u201cThis is a science-based approach to conservation. But\u00a0 we also recognize the economic impact on our coastal communities, which is why we mobilized a multi-agency support initiative to assist affected fisherfolk,\u201d she said.\nThe closed season allows small pelagic fish species to regenerate. These include big-eyed scad (matambaka), mackerel (karabalyas), and round scad (galunggong).\nDuring the closed season, the DA provided chickens and goats to fishing communities in Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, and Davao City, with additional livestock distribution set pending availability.\nThe Region XI Department of Labor and Employment also allocated 200 slots for short-term employment under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-09-02T21:01:57+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-09-02T21:01:57+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Metro-Davao-map.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy" ] }, { "id": "/?p=694776", "url": "/agribusiness/2025/09/01/694776/agri-trade-deficit-in-july-widens-to-4-9/", "title": "Agri trade deficit in July widens to 4.9%", "content_html": "THE deficit in the agricultural goods trade in July rose 4.9% year on year to $929.78 million, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
\nAgricultural exports in July rose 17.5% to $779.32 million, the PSA said in a report.
\nIt said agricultural exports accounted for 31.3% of two-way agricultural trade, valued at $2.49 billion in July. Farm goods accounted for 10.6% of total exports.
\nAgricultural imports rose 10.3% year on year in July to $1.71 billion. Farm goods accounted for 15% of Philippine imports overall last month.
\nThe $2.49 billion in agriculture trade in July was up 12.4% year on year. In June and July 2024, trade had risen 13.1% and 6.6%, respectively.
\nThe PSA said exports of edible fruit and nuts, peel of citrus fruit or melons were valued at $246.19 million, accounting for 31.6% of agricultural exports.
\nAgricultural shipments to members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July hit $63.72 million, with Malaysia accounting for $23.17 million or 36.4% of the total.
\nThe Netherlands accounted for $119.59 million or 57.8% of Philippine agricultural exports to the European Union (EU). EU purchases totaled $206.88 million.
\nThe PSA said cereals accounted for $319.67 million or 18.7% of all agricultural imports in July.
\nIndonesia accounted for $195.57 million or 30.0% of Philippine agricultural imports from ASEAN.
\nWithin the EU, Spain was the Philippines\u2019 top supplier of agricultural commodities, with imports valued at $39.34 million.
\nThe top agricultural commodities imported from the EU were meat and edible meat offal, dairy produce, birds\u2019 eggs, natural honey, edible products of animal origin, residues and waste from the food industries, and prepared animal fodder. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE deficit in the agricultural goods trade in July rose 4.9% year on year to $929.78 million, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).\nAgricultural exports in July rose 17.5% to $779.32 million, the PSA said in a report.\nIt said agricultural exports accounted for 31.3% of two-way agricultural trade, valued at $2.49 billion in July. Farm goods accounted for 10.6% of total exports.\nAgricultural imports rose 10.3% year on year in July to $1.71 billion. Farm goods accounted for 15% of Philippine imports overall last month.\nThe $2.49 billion in agriculture trade in July was up 12.4% year on year. In June and July 2024, trade had risen 13.1% and 6.6%, respectively.\nThe PSA said exports of edible fruit and nuts, peel of citrus fruit or melons were valued at $246.19 million, accounting for 31.6% of agricultural exports.\nAgricultural shipments to members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July hit $63.72 million, with Malaysia accounting for $23.17 million or 36.4% of the total.\nThe Netherlands accounted for $119.59 million or 57.8% of Philippine agricultural exports to the European Union (EU). EU purchases totaled $206.88 million.\nThe PSA said cereals accounted for $319.67 million or 18.7% of all agricultural imports in July.\nIndonesia accounted for $195.57 million or 30.0% of Philippine agricultural imports from ASEAN.\nWithin the EU, Spain was the Philippines\u2019 top supplier of agricultural commodities, with imports valued at $39.34 million.\nThe top agricultural commodities imported from the EU were meat and edible meat offal, dairy produce, birds\u2019 eggs, natural honey, edible products of animal origin, residues and waste from the food industries, and prepared animal fodder. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-09-01T00:03:46+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-31T19:00:40+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/NFA-rice-imports-073019.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Agribusiness", "Editors' Picks" ] }, { "id": "/?p=694475", "url": "/economy/2025/08/28/694475/nfa-to-auction-60000-mt-of-ageing-rice-inventory/", "title": "NFA to auction 60,000 MT of ageing rice inventory", "content_html": "THE National Food Authority (NFA) will auction up to 60,000 metric tons (MT) of ageing rice inventory starting next month, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
\nThe auction is intended to free up warehouse space to facilitate the NFA\u2019s domestic rice procurement operations in the face of a two-month rice import suspension, the DA said in a statement.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re essentially hitting three birds with one stone: avoiding supply shortfalls, clearing space so NFA can buy more palay from local farmers, and preventing spoilage of ageing rice,\u201d Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said.
\nBefore the auction, government relief agencies would have the first call to buy the rice in September, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said.
\nNFA stocks are classified as ageing starting on the third month after milling.
\nThe auction will feature floor prices ranging from P25.01 to P27.96 per kilo, depending on how long the rice has been stored.
\nThe NFA\u2019s current reserves amount to 450,000 MT, equivalent to 12 days of demand.
\nThe auction will try to sell off roughly 1.2 million sacks of rice \u2014 about 13% of total reserves.
\nWith the harvest approaching, the NFA said it is pursuing optimal solutions that ensure market stability, warehouse efficiency, and support for farmers. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE National Food Authority (NFA) will auction up to 60,000 metric tons (MT) of ageing rice inventory starting next month, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).\nThe auction is intended to free up warehouse space to facilitate the NFA\u2019s domestic rice procurement operations in the face of a two-month rice import suspension, the DA said in a statement.\n\u201cWe\u2019re essentially hitting three birds with one stone: avoiding supply shortfalls, clearing space so NFA can buy more palay from local farmers, and preventing spoilage of ageing rice,\u201d Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said.\nBefore the auction, government relief agencies would have the first call to buy the rice in September, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said.\nNFA stocks are classified as ageing starting on the third month after milling.\nThe auction will feature floor prices ranging from P25.01 to P27.96 per kilo, depending on how long the rice has been stored.\nThe NFA\u2019s current reserves amount to 450,000 MT, equivalent to 12 days of demand.\nThe auction will try to sell off roughly 1.2 million sacks of rice \u2014 about 13% of total reserves.\nWith the harvest approaching, the NFA said it is pursuing optimal solutions that ensure market stability, warehouse efficiency, and support for farmers. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-28T23:56:43+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-31T13:20:53+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/agarwalekwensi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/63a6222a994ecdcd0783bb257b7c4e6d18b49dfa789dd168af5420ab8a45082c?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/agarwalekwensi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/63a6222a994ecdcd0783bb257b7c4e6d18b49dfa789dd168af5420ab8a45082c?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NFA-rice-warehouse.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy", "One News" ] }, { "id": "/?p=694472", "url": "/economy/2025/08/28/694472/alfalfa-trials-to-support-dairy-industry-growth/", "title": "Alfalfa trials to support dairy industry growth", "content_html": "A PROJECT funded by the Department of Science and Technolgy (DoST) is seeking to develop varieties of alfalfa for use as forage by the dairy industry.
\nThe project, conducted by the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines is evaluating nine alfalfa varieties in Misamis Oriental, the DoST\u2019s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development said in a statement.
\nWhile alfalfa is traditionally cultivated in temperate climates, Thailand has developed a tropical alfalfa crop, indicating the potential to grow such forage in the Philippines, it noted.
\n\u201cIf the project is successful in producing alfalfa, the country will have a good feed resource for dairy animals that can potentially reduce the cost to produce milk,\u201d Synan S. Baguio, a participant in the project, was quoted as say-ing.
\nAlfalfa is deemed the \u201cgold standard\u201d for dairy animals due to its superior nutritional value.
\nSeven varieties were sourced from subtropical regions and two from temperate climates that include Flowcote 614 QL Lucerne, Hunter River Lucerne, Upper Murray Seeds \u201cSilverado 9,\u201d Flowcote 914 QL Lucerne, Flowcote Se-quel Lucerne, Upper Murray Seeds \u201cSilverosa GT 7,\u201d Upper Murray Seeds \u201cSilverland,\u201d Bulldog 505, and Bulldog 805. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "A PROJECT funded by the Department of Science and Technolgy (DoST) is seeking to develop varieties of alfalfa for use as forage by the dairy industry.\nThe project, conducted by the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines is evaluating nine alfalfa varieties in Misamis Oriental, the DoST\u2019s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development said in a statement.\nWhile alfalfa is traditionally cultivated in temperate climates, Thailand has developed a tropical alfalfa crop, indicating the potential to grow such forage in the Philippines, it noted.\n\u201cIf the project is successful in producing alfalfa, the country will have a good feed resource for dairy animals that can potentially reduce the cost to produce milk,\u201d Synan S. Baguio, a participant in the project, was quoted as say-ing.\nAlfalfa is deemed the \u201cgold standard\u201d for dairy animals due to its superior nutritional value.\nSeven varieties were sourced from subtropical regions and two from temperate climates that include Flowcote 614 QL Lucerne, Hunter River Lucerne, Upper Murray Seeds \u201cSilverado 9,\u201d Flowcote 914 QL Lucerne, Flowcote Se-quel Lucerne, Upper Murray Seeds \u201cSilverosa GT 7,\u201d Upper Murray Seeds \u201cSilverland,\u201d Bulldog 505, and Bulldog 805. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-28T23:53:41+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-31T13:19:26+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/agarwalekwensi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/63a6222a994ecdcd0783bb257b7c4e6d18b49dfa789dd168af5420ab8a45082c?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/agarwalekwensi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/63a6222a994ecdcd0783bb257b7c4e6d18b49dfa789dd168af5420ab8a45082c?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Japan-cow-milk.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy" ] }, { "id": "/?p=694186", "url": "/economy/2025/08/27/694186/onion-import-requirement-to-be-set-in-october/", "title": "Onion import requirement to be set in October", "content_html": "THE estimated onion import requirement for later in the year is about 50,000 metric tons (MT) for the red variety and 35,000 MT for the yellow variety, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).
\nBPI Director Glenn Panganiban told 大象传媒 that the imports will help avert shortages, adding that import volumes will be finalized in October.
\nThe BPI estimates the shortfall in domestic production as equivalent to three months\u2019 supply for red onions and five months\u2019 supply for yellow onions, he noted.
\nThe government earlier allowed yellow onion imports of 25,000 MT.
\n\u201cDepending on the estimates of our regional offices and monitors, \u2019yung ating kailangan lang ang dapat i-import plus or minus buffer (the import requirement will be tied to the actual shortfall and may include a buffer amount),\u201d Mr. Panganiban said.
\nThe national red onion inventory was 49,750 MT as of Aug. 15, equivalent to about 86 days\u2019 demand, indicating that stocks will be sufficient until mid-November.
\nAs of Aug. 15, yellow onion stocks hit 1,142 MT, with shipments of 6,140 MT of yellow onions incoming. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE estimated onion import requirement for later in the year is about 50,000 metric tons (MT) for the red variety and 35,000 MT for the yellow variety, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).\nBPI Director Glenn Panganiban told 大象传媒 that the imports will help avert shortages, adding that import volumes will be finalized in October.\nThe BPI estimates the shortfall in domestic production as equivalent to three months\u2019 supply for red onions and five months\u2019 supply for yellow onions, he noted.\nThe government earlier allowed yellow onion imports of 25,000 MT.\n\u201cDepending on the estimates of our regional offices and monitors, \u2019yung ating kailangan lang ang dapat i-import plus or minus buffer (the import requirement will be tied to the actual shortfall and may include a buffer amount),\u201d Mr. Panganiban said.\nThe national red onion inventory was 49,750 MT as of Aug. 15, equivalent to about 86 days\u2019 demand, indicating that stocks will be sufficient until mid-November.\nAs of Aug. 15, yellow onion stocks hit 1,142 MT, with shipments of 6,140 MT of yellow onions incoming. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-27T20:30:16+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-27T20:30:16+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/smuggled-food-onion.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy", "Editors' Picks", "One News" ] }, { "id": "/?p=694184", "url": "/economy/2025/08/27/694184/cooperatives-seen-key-to-boosting-farmer-financing/", "title": "Cooperatives seen key to boosting farmer financing", "content_html": "COOPERATIVES need to play a major role in improving farmers\u2019 access to financing, according to the former head of the government\u2019s economic planning agency.
\nAt a Senate agriculture hearing, Cielito F. Habito, former director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA, currently the Department of Economy, Planning and Development), noted that only a third of the country\u2019s 5.56 million farm households were cooperative members.
\nIn Thailand, the equivalent rate is 95%, with 4,000 cooperatives having 6.81 million members, he noted.
\nMr. Habito added that cooperatives can be formed from the National Irrigation Administration\u2019s irrigation associations, while also incorporating data from the Department of Agriculture\u2019s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture.
\nMr. Habito noted that the distribution of key equipment and technology like drying facilities should be coursed through cooperatives to ensure fair access among farmers.
\n\u201cAll energies on extension work must be focused on cooperatives,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s the very first step that our extension workers should try to do.\u201d \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "COOPERATIVES need to play a major role in improving farmers\u2019 access to financing, according to the former head of the government\u2019s economic planning agency.\nAt a Senate agriculture hearing, Cielito F. Habito, former director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA, currently the Department of Economy, Planning and Development), noted that only a third of the country\u2019s 5.56 million farm households were cooperative members.\nIn Thailand, the equivalent rate is 95%, with 4,000 cooperatives having 6.81 million members, he noted.\nMr. Habito added that cooperatives can be formed from the National Irrigation Administration\u2019s irrigation associations, while also incorporating data from the Department of Agriculture\u2019s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture.\nMr. Habito noted that the distribution of key equipment and technology like drying facilities should be coursed through cooperatives to ensure fair access among farmers.\n\u201cAll energies on extension work must be focused on cooperatives,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s the very first step that our extension workers should try to do.\u201d \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-27T20:30:08+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-27T20:30:08+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cielito-Habito-092818.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy" ] }, { "id": "/?p=694183", "url": "/economy/2025/08/27/694183/bird-flu-vaccine-approved-for-commercial-use/", "title": "Bird flu vaccine approved for commercial use", "content_html": "THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the commercial use of a vaccine against avian influenza, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
\n\u201cWith the FDA\u2019s approval of Volvac B.E.S.T. AI plus ND, the poultry sector now has a strong line of defense against a virus that threatens both food security and human health,\u201d\u00a0Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said.
\nThe vaccine protects against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 and stimulates the bird\u2019s immune system to defend against velogenic Newcastle disease, the DA said.
\nH5N1 is the most aggressive subtype of the bird flu virus, causing high mortality rates in chickens. It is also zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted to humans and other animals.
\nVelogenic Newcastle disease is the most severe form of Newcastle disease. Highly contagious and often fatal, it affects a wide range of bird species, especially domestic poultry.
\nVolvac B.E.S.T. is administered by injection, either into the bird\u2019s chest muscle or into subcutaneous fat.
\nIt is given when the bird is at least 10 days old. As with most first-time vaccinations, it takes 10 to 14 days for full immunity to develop.
\nThe value of production of the poultry sector in 2024, including eggs, stood at P362 billion, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the commercial use of a vaccine against avian influenza, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).\n\u201cWith the FDA\u2019s approval of Volvac B.E.S.T. AI plus ND, the poultry sector now has a strong line of defense against a virus that threatens both food security and human health,\u201d\u00a0Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said.\nThe vaccine protects against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 and stimulates the bird\u2019s immune system to defend against velogenic Newcastle disease, the DA said.\nH5N1 is the most aggressive subtype of the bird flu virus, causing high mortality rates in chickens. It is also zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted to humans and other animals.\nVelogenic Newcastle disease is the most severe form of Newcastle disease. Highly contagious and often fatal, it affects a wide range of bird species, especially domestic poultry.\nVolvac B.E.S.T. is administered by injection, either into the bird\u2019s chest muscle or into subcutaneous fat.\nIt is given when the bird is at least 10 days old. As with most first-time vaccinations, it takes 10 to 14 days for full immunity to develop.\nThe value of production of the poultry sector in 2024, including eggs, stood at P362 billion, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-27T20:30:05+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-27T20:30:05+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/chickens-poultry.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy" ] }, { "id": "/?p=693910", "url": "/economy/2025/08/26/693910/rice-importing-powers-pushed-for-fti-planters/", "title": "Rice-importing powers pushed for FTI, Planters", "content_html": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) proposed to legislators that Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI)\u00a0 and Planters Products, Inc.\u00a0be granted the power to import rice on behalf of the government.
\nThe proposal follows efforts to amend the Rice Tariffication Law, which had stripped the National Food Authority (NFA) of its import powers and opened up the import trade to private traders.
\nIn a statement, the DA cited the need to exert regulatory power over rice imports to prevent oversupply, which it said has \u201cdepressed\u201d farmgate prices earned by domestic farmers.
\n\u201cWe must regain control,\u201d Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said. \u201cRice is a commodity imbued with too much public interest to leave entirely to the private sector.\u201d
\nAt present, the NFA is required to build up its rice reserves by procuring domestic rice, but it can only purchase about 5% of the palay (unmilled rice) harvest \u201cdue to limited warehousing and drying capacity,\u201d the DA noted.
\nIt added that the NFA\u2019s impact on the market is limited to releasing rice during calamities.
\nThe DA said if needed, government corporations under its umbrella like FTI and the Planters Products \u201ccould import on behalf of the government.\u201d
\n\u201cThe proposed changes aim to strike a balance between ensuring affordable rice for consumers and protecting the livelihoods of Filipino rice farmers,\u201d it said.
\nThe DA, however, clarified that the rice import function will remain largely with the private sector.
\nMr. Laurel has told the Senate that private importers should be required to share the responsibility of maintaining the country\u2019s rice reserves.
\n\u201cIf we aim to have a 20-day rice buffer stock, we\u2019re thinking of a 50-50 split between the NFA and the private sector,\u201d he said.
\nUnder the proposed setup, rice imports will follow the sugar import model, under which the Sugar Regulatory Administration\u00a0 issues import allocations only to qualified importers.\u00a0
\nRice importers will also be required to maintain their reserves by procuring palay from domestic farmers at fair prices.
\nA private sector role in maintaining the buffer stock, sourced from local rice farmers, will also reduce the cost to the government of maintaining its rice reserve, Mr. Laurel said. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) proposed to legislators that Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI)\u00a0 and Planters Products, Inc.\u00a0be granted the power to import rice on behalf of the government.\nThe proposal follows efforts to amend the Rice Tariffication Law, which had stripped the National Food Authority (NFA) of its import powers and opened up the import trade to private traders.\nIn a statement, the DA cited the need to exert regulatory power over rice imports to prevent oversupply, which it said has \u201cdepressed\u201d farmgate prices earned by domestic farmers.\n\u201cWe must regain control,\u201d Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said. \u201cRice is a commodity imbued with too much public interest to leave entirely to the private sector.\u201d\nAt present, the NFA is required to build up its rice reserves by procuring domestic rice, but it can only purchase about 5% of the palay (unmilled rice) harvest \u201cdue to limited warehousing and drying capacity,\u201d the DA noted.\nIt added that the NFA\u2019s impact on the market is limited to releasing rice during calamities.\nThe DA said if needed, government corporations under its umbrella like FTI and the Planters Products \u201ccould import on behalf of the government.\u201d\n\u201cThe proposed changes aim to strike a balance between ensuring affordable rice for consumers and protecting the livelihoods of Filipino rice farmers,\u201d it said.\nThe DA, however, clarified that the rice import function will remain largely with the private sector.\nMr. Laurel has told the Senate that private importers should be required to share the responsibility of maintaining the country\u2019s rice reserves.\n\u201cIf we aim to have a 20-day rice buffer stock, we\u2019re thinking of a 50-50 split between the NFA and the private sector,\u201d he said.\nUnder the proposed setup, rice imports will follow the sugar import model, under which the Sugar Regulatory Administration\u00a0 issues import allocations only to qualified importers.\u00a0\nRice importers will also be required to maintain their reserves by procuring palay from domestic farmers at fair prices.\nA private sector role in maintaining the buffer stock, sourced from local rice farmers, will also reduce the cost to the government of maintaining its rice reserve, Mr. Laurel said. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-26T20:43:29+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-26T20:43:29+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/FTI-logo.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy", "Editors' Picks", "One News" ] }, { "id": "/?p=693909", "url": "/economy/2025/08/26/693909/la-nina-could-bring-more-typhoons-by-september/", "title": "La Ni\u00f1a could bring more typhoons by September", "content_html": "A POTENTIAL La Ni\u00f1a could start influencing weather patterns as early as September, mainly in the form of more typhoons, the government weather service, known as PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), said.
\nIn a statement, PAGASA said the prevailing weather pattern in the tropical Pacific, known as the El Ni\u00f1o Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral, is most likely to persist until October.
\nHowever, climate models indicate an increasing probability of a brief La Ni\u00f1a episode emerging between September and December.
\nLa Ni\u00f1a, the cool phase of ENSO, is characterized by unusually cool sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific.
\nPAGASA said a La Ni\u00f1a Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of La Ni\u00f1a within the next six months, and the probability rises to above 55%.
\nIt said La Ni\u00f1a typically result in an above-average number of tropical cyclones towards the end of the year and above-normal rainfall in most of the Philippines, possibly bringing floods and landslides to vulnerable areas, it added.
\nPAGASA said it will continue to \u201cclosely monitor the ongoing El Ni\u00f1o, its effect on the local climate, and the possibility of La Ni\u00f1a.\u201d \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "A POTENTIAL La Ni\u00f1a could start influencing weather patterns as early as September, mainly in the form of more typhoons, the government weather service, known as PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), said. \nIn a statement, PAGASA said the prevailing weather pattern in the tropical Pacific, known as the El Ni\u00f1o Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral, is most likely to persist until October.\nHowever, climate models indicate an increasing probability of a brief La Ni\u00f1a episode emerging between September and December.\nLa Ni\u00f1a, the cool phase of ENSO, is characterized by unusually cool sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific.\nPAGASA said a La Ni\u00f1a Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of La Ni\u00f1a within the next six months, and the probability rises to above 55%.\nIt said La Ni\u00f1a typically result in an above-average number of tropical cyclones towards the end of the year and above-normal rainfall in most of the Philippines, possibly bringing floods and landslides to vulnerable areas, it added.\nPAGASA said it will continue to \u201cclosely monitor the ongoing El Ni\u00f1o, its effect on the local climate, and the possibility of La Ni\u00f1a.\u201d \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-26T20:43:04+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-09-17T20:19:09+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MDG_2305-scaled.jpeg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy", "Editors' Picks", "One News" ] }, { "id": "/?p=693902", "url": "/economy/2025/08/26/693902/phl-milk-production-up-11-4-in-first-half/", "title": "PHL milk production up 11.4% in first half", "content_html": "MILK production in the six months to June rose 11.4% to 18.16 million liters, according to the National Dairy Authority (NDA).
\nMilk from cattle accounted for 60.4% or 10.98 million liters, the NDA said in a report.
\nCarabao milk made up 14.5% or 2.64 million liters of the total, it added.
\nGoats, meanwhile, accounted for 11.8% or 2.14 million liters.
\nIn NDA-assisted areas, cow\u2019s milk and goat\u2019s milk production rose\u00a0 11.7% and 47.5%, respectively.
\nThe NDA said the national dairy herd grew to 166,411 head, equivalent to a 16.4% increase, largely due to the Department of Agriculture\u2019s herd build-up programs for cattle and goats.
\nIt said the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) is also building up the carabao herd via breeding programs.
\nThe national dairy carabao herd consisted of 89,907 animals, of which 44.6% were grown in PCC-assisted farms.
\nThe NDA said while cattle accounted for the smallest part of the dairy herd, \u201cthey consistently deliver the largest share of national milk production, reaffirming their strategic importance in the country\u2019s dairy development agenda.\u201d \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "MILK production in the six months to June rose 11.4% to 18.16 million liters, according to the National Dairy Authority (NDA).\nMilk from cattle accounted for 60.4% or 10.98 million liters, the NDA said in a report.\nCarabao milk made up 14.5% or 2.64 million liters of the total, it added.\nGoats, meanwhile, accounted for 11.8% or 2.14 million liters.\nIn NDA-assisted areas, cow\u2019s milk and goat\u2019s milk production rose\u00a0 11.7% and 47.5%, respectively.\nThe NDA said the national dairy herd grew to 166,411 head, equivalent to a 16.4% increase, largely due to the Department of Agriculture\u2019s herd build-up programs for cattle and goats.\nIt said the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) is also building up the carabao herd via breeding programs.\nThe national dairy carabao herd consisted of 89,907 animals, of which 44.6% were grown in PCC-assisted farms.\nThe NDA said while cattle accounted for the smallest part of the dairy herd, \u201cthey consistently deliver the largest share of national milk production, reaffirming their strategic importance in the country\u2019s dairy development agenda.\u201d \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-26T20:33:46+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-26T20:33:46+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Canada-cows-dairy-farm.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy" ] }, { "id": "/?p=693672", "url": "/economy/2025/08/25/693672/agri-dept-to-digitally-track-rice-supply-prices/", "title": "Agri dep\u2019t to digitally track rice supply, prices", "content_html": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Monday that it will launch a command center to track the rice supply chain in November.
\nThe facility, fed with trade data primarily from the Osiris system of the Bureau of Plant Industry, will initially focus on the rice value chain \u2014 \u201can essential but challenging staple in the Philippines,\u201d the DA said in a statement.
\n\u201cWild swings in rice prices could unsettle economic assumptions, particularly those tied to inflation,\u201d it said.
\nThe digital nerve center will consolidate critical data including production, imports, stock levels, various types of products and wholesale and retail prices.
\nIt will also collect data on consumption rates, production and post-harvest infrastructure, utilization, irrigation coverage, spoilage, and global market trends.
\n\u201cThe DA has most of these data, but they are scattered across various agencies,\u201d Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said.
\n\u201cWe must bring them together and make market sense of them, plus gather additional data that we lack, so we can use our limited resources more efficiently and productively,\u201d he added.
\nThe DA said \u201csharper forecasting\u201d of supply and demand will be provided by the command center \u2014 facilitated by the expected restoration of regulatory powers over the rice industry to the DA and National Food Authority through amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law.
\nImproved forecasting accuracy will provide \u201cmuch-needed predictability\u201d and improved incomes for rice farmers, it added.
\nThe command center model will later be applied to high-value crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Monday that it will launch a command center to track the rice supply chain in November.\nThe facility, fed with trade data primarily from the Osiris system of the Bureau of Plant Industry, will initially focus on the rice value chain \u2014 \u201can essential but challenging staple in the Philippines,\u201d the DA said in a statement.\n\u201cWild swings in rice prices could unsettle economic assumptions, particularly those tied to inflation,\u201d it said.\nThe digital nerve center will consolidate critical data including production, imports, stock levels, various types of products and wholesale and retail prices.\nIt will also collect data on consumption rates, production and post-harvest infrastructure, utilization, irrigation coverage, spoilage, and global market trends.\n\u201cThe DA has most of these data, but they are scattered across various agencies,\u201d Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said.\n\u201cWe must bring them together and make market sense of them, plus gather additional data that we lack, so we can use our limited resources more efficiently and productively,\u201d he added.\nThe DA said \u201csharper forecasting\u201d of supply and demand will be provided by the command center \u2014 facilitated by the expected restoration of regulatory powers over the rice industry to the DA and National Food Authority through amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law.\nImproved forecasting accuracy will provide \u201cmuch-needed predictability\u201d and improved incomes for rice farmers, it added.\nThe command center model will later be applied to high-value crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-25T20:26:36+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-25T20:26:36+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/rice-workers.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy", "One News" ] }, { "id": "/?p=693671", "url": "/economy/2025/08/25/693671/mushroom-waste-being-tested-as-fish-feed/", "title": "Mushroom waste being tested as fish feed", "content_html": "THE Department of Science and Technology (DoST) said it is funding a project that seeks to turn mushroom farming waste, known as spent mushroom substrate (SMS), into fish feed for tilapia aquaculture.
\nThe DoST\u2019s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) said tilapia farmers face rising feed costs, one of the most expensive inputs.
\n\u201cTraditionally, fish feed is made using fishmeal or plant-based ingredients like soybean meal,\u201d it said.
\n\u201cHowever, the cost and environmental concerns tied to these ingredients have prompted a search for more sustainable alternatives,\u201d it added.
\nPCAARRD said SMS could be a sustainable and cost-effective fish feed ingredient due to widespread availability from a \u201cbooming mushroom industry.\u201d
\nNow on its second year, the project, being conducted by researchers from the Partido State University in Bicol, has developed five types of fish feed with varying amounts of SMS replacing soybean meal.
\nThe experimental feed was evaluated for key qualities such as durability in water, safety, nutritional value, and fish acceptance.
\nThe project team collected two types of SMS, freshly harvested and aged from mushroom farms to determine which version is more suitable for feed use. The samples were then analyzed at the University of the Philippines Los Ba\u00f1os to assess their nutrient composition, including protein, fiber, fat, and moisture content.
\nThe analysis also identified 12 types of beneficial bacteria from the Bacillus family living in the SMS. These microbes are known for their ability to survive in tough environments and even improve gut health in animals.
\n\u201cResults from the project showed significant differences in their proximate compositions, microbial loads, and functional characteristics, each influencing their suitability for different applications,\u201d PCAARRD said.
\n\u201cBut generally, aged SMS was found to be more suitable as an aquafeed ingredient as it has higher protein and fiber levels, lower fat and moisture, and showed better stability, making it a good option for feed formulation,\u201d it added.
\nBy repurposing SMS, the initiative supports a circular economy, \u201cturning what was once discarded into a useful resource while also reducing the cost of aquafeeds,\u201d PCCARD noted.
\n\u201cIn the long run, the project seeks to achieve improved tilapia production, less waste from mushroom farms, and more affordable fish farming across the region,\u201d it added. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE Department of Science and Technology (DoST) said it is funding a project that seeks to turn mushroom farming waste, known as spent mushroom substrate (SMS), into fish feed for tilapia aquaculture.\nThe DoST\u2019s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) said tilapia farmers face rising feed costs, one of the most expensive inputs.\n\u201cTraditionally, fish feed is made using fishmeal or plant-based ingredients like soybean meal,\u201d it said.\n\u201cHowever, the cost and environmental concerns tied to these ingredients have prompted a search for more sustainable alternatives,\u201d it added.\nPCAARRD said SMS could be a sustainable and cost-effective fish feed ingredient due to widespread availability from a \u201cbooming mushroom industry.\u201d\nNow on its second year, the project, being conducted by researchers from the Partido State University in Bicol, has developed five types of fish feed with varying amounts of SMS replacing soybean meal. \nThe experimental feed was evaluated for key qualities such as durability in water, safety, nutritional value, and fish acceptance.\nThe project team collected two types of SMS, freshly harvested and aged from mushroom farms to determine which version is more suitable for feed use. The samples were then analyzed at the University of the Philippines Los Ba\u00f1os to assess their nutrient composition, including protein, fiber, fat, and moisture content.\nThe analysis also identified 12 types of beneficial bacteria from the Bacillus family living in the SMS. These microbes are known for their ability to survive in tough environments and even improve gut health in animals.\n\u201cResults from the project showed significant differences in their proximate compositions, microbial loads, and functional characteristics, each influencing their suitability for different applications,\u201d PCAARRD said.\n\u201cBut generally, aged SMS was found to be more suitable as an aquafeed ingredient as it has higher protein and fiber levels, lower fat and moisture, and showed better stability, making it a good option for feed formulation,\u201d it added.\nBy repurposing SMS, the initiative supports a circular economy, \u201cturning what was once discarded into a useful resource while also reducing the cost of aquafeeds,\u201d PCCARD noted.\n\u201cIn the long run, the project seeks to achieve improved tilapia production, less waste from mushroom farms, and more affordable fish farming across the region,\u201d it added. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-25T20:25:58+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-25T20:25:58+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/fish-pen.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy" ] }, { "id": "/?p=693639", "url": "/the-nation/2025/08/25/693639/fni-slams-chairmans-arrest/", "title": "FNI slams Chairman\u2019s arrest", "content_html": "GLOBAL Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI) on Monday strongly denounced the \u201cunlawful\u201d arrest and detention of its Chairman, Joseph Sy, over a \u201cbaseless\u201d accusation of misrepresenting his citizenship.
\nThe nickel company asserted Mr. Sy\u2019s citizenship has been confirmed by at least six rulings from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Department of Justice, the Office of the President, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Supreme Court.
\n\u201cHe entered the country on his valid Philippine passport, which the Supreme Court has recognized as official proof of identity of Filipino nationality,\u201d FNI said in a statement.
\n\u201cHis detention is a grave injustice, but we remain confident that the truth and the law will prevail.\u201d
\nThe company noted that its operations and all companies under the Group remain \u201cstable, legitimate, and unaffected.\u201d
\nThe Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) on Monday also called for the release of FNI\u2019s chairman, saying BI\u2019s detention is \u201cdeeply troubling and illegally inconsistent\u201d considering it has twice recognized Mr. Sy\u2019s citizenship.
\n\u201cHis continued detention on mere suspicion of being an alien, without lawful basis and outside the BI\u2019s jurisdiction, is a grave injustice and a violation of the fundamental principles of due process,\u201d it added.
\nPNIA noted the arrest and subsequent detention of Mr. Sy sends a \u201cwrong message\u201d to investors as the Philippines seeks to bolster business confidence.
\n\u201cWe call on the authorities to act swiftly, observe due process, and immediately resolve this matter by releasing Mr. Sy without delay,\u201d it said.\u00a0 \u00a0
\nDevelopments over Mr. Sy\u2019s detention are being closely monitored by the SEC, which said it will evaluate whether necessary actions are warranted under its jurisdiction.
\n\u201cAny action taken by the SEC on the matter will be in line with promoting transparency and confidence in the markets, especially matters that affect the governance of publicly listed companies,\u201d the corporate watchdog said in a statement sent to 大象传媒 on Monday.
\nAmid the detention, the SEC reminded listed companies that all material developments that could influence the decision of investors must be \u201cpromptly disclosed\u201d to the public as mandated under Rule 17.1.1 of the implementing rules and regulations of the Securities Regulation Code, as well as the consolidated listing and disclosure rules of the Philippine Stock Exchange.
\n\u201cThe commission reiterates its commitment to upholding the interests of the investing public and ensuring that the integrity of the capital market is preserved,\u201d it said.
\nSought for comment, the BI noted in a Viber message to 大象传媒 that Mr. Sy is the subject of a mission order and an investigation from the BI, which received information from government intelligence sources about his \u201calleged illegally acquired Philippine documents.\u201d
\nThe BI said he was found to be using a Philippine passport issued in 2021 and was in possession of several Philippine identity cards showing that he is a Filipino.
\n\u201cHowever, Viado shared that their Alien Registration Division was able to confirm that his fingerprints matched that of a Chinese citizen, who previously held a long-term visa and an Alien Certificate Registration Identity Card,\u201d it added.
\nThe BI said Mr. Sy is \u201csaid to own many major businesses in the country\u201d and has \u201cinfiltrated different economic and business groups.\u201d
\n\u201cWithout naturalization, a foreign national is not eligible to get Philippine citizenship documents,\u201d BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.
\n\u201cGovernment intelligence sources have reason to believe that this is another case of assumed Philippine identity, similar to that of Alice Guo,\u201d he added.
\nMeanwhile, Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel raised concerns over Mr. Sy\u2019s detention after she learned that he had served as a volunteer with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), citing it could be a national security risk.
\nThe PCG did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.
\n\u201cThe Senate must immediately probe his affiliations, background and the circumstances under which he obtained his Philippine documents,\u201d Ms. Hontiveros said in a statement.
\nThe BI said Mr. Sy, who is facing a deportation case for misrepresentation, is currently held at the BI\u2019s holding facility in Bicutan, Taguig.
\nBI operatives arrested Mr. Sy on Aug. 21 after arriving from Hong Kong. He was detained due to an alleged misrepresentation of his citizenship.\u00a0 \u00a0
\nFNI is a listed mining company that has business interests in nickel ore mining, logistics, cement and steel production, and port operations. \u2014 Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Revin Mikhael D. Ochave, and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "GLOBAL Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI) on Monday strongly denounced the \u201cunlawful\u201d arrest and detention of its Chairman, Joseph Sy, over a \u201cbaseless\u201d accusation of misrepresenting his citizenship.\nThe nickel company asserted Mr. Sy\u2019s citizenship has been confirmed by at least six rulings from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Department of Justice, the Office of the President, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Supreme Court.\n\u201cHe entered the country on his valid Philippine passport, which the Supreme Court has recognized as official proof of identity of Filipino nationality,\u201d FNI said in a statement.\n\u201cHis detention is a grave injustice, but we remain confident that the truth and the law will prevail.\u201d\nThe company noted that its operations and all companies under the Group remain \u201cstable, legitimate, and unaffected.\u201d\nThe Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) on Monday also called for the release of FNI\u2019s chairman, saying BI\u2019s detention is \u201cdeeply troubling and illegally inconsistent\u201d considering it has twice recognized Mr. Sy\u2019s citizenship.\n\u201cHis continued detention on mere suspicion of being an alien, without lawful basis and outside the BI\u2019s jurisdiction, is a grave injustice and a violation of the fundamental principles of due process,\u201d it added.\nPNIA noted the arrest and subsequent detention of Mr. Sy sends a \u201cwrong message\u201d to investors as the Philippines seeks to bolster business confidence.\n\u201cWe call on the authorities to act swiftly, observe due process, and immediately resolve this matter by releasing Mr. Sy without delay,\u201d it said.\u00a0 \u00a0\nDevelopments over Mr. Sy\u2019s detention are being closely monitored by the SEC, which said it will evaluate whether necessary actions are warranted under its jurisdiction.\n\u201cAny action taken by the SEC on the matter will be in line with promoting transparency and confidence in the markets, especially matters that affect the governance of publicly listed companies,\u201d the corporate watchdog said in a statement sent to 大象传媒 on Monday.\nAmid the detention, the SEC reminded listed companies that all material developments that could influence the decision of investors must be \u201cpromptly disclosed\u201d to the public as mandated under Rule 17.1.1 of the implementing rules and regulations of the Securities Regulation Code, as well as the consolidated listing and disclosure rules of the Philippine Stock Exchange.\n\u201cThe commission reiterates its commitment to upholding the interests of the investing public and ensuring that the integrity of the capital market is preserved,\u201d it said.\nSought for comment, the BI noted in a Viber message to 大象传媒 that Mr. Sy is the subject of a mission order and an investigation from the BI, which received information from government intelligence sources about his \u201calleged illegally acquired Philippine documents.\u201d\nThe BI said he was found to be using a Philippine passport issued in 2021 and was in possession of several Philippine identity cards showing that he is a Filipino.\n\u201cHowever, Viado shared that their Alien Registration Division was able to confirm that his fingerprints matched that of a Chinese citizen, who previously held a long-term visa and an Alien Certificate Registration Identity Card,\u201d it added.\nThe BI said Mr. Sy is \u201csaid to own many major businesses in the country\u201d and has \u201cinfiltrated different economic and business groups.\u201d\n\u201cWithout naturalization, a foreign national is not eligible to get Philippine citizenship documents,\u201d BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.\n\u201cGovernment intelligence sources have reason to believe that this is another case of assumed Philippine identity, similar to that of Alice Guo,\u201d he added.\nMeanwhile, Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel raised concerns over Mr. Sy\u2019s detention after she learned that he had served as a volunteer with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), citing it could be a national security risk.\nThe PCG did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.\n\u201cThe Senate must immediately probe his affiliations, background and the circumstances under which he obtained his Philippine documents,\u201d Ms. Hontiveros said in a statement.\nThe BI said Mr. Sy, who is facing a deportation case for misrepresentation, is currently held at the BI\u2019s holding facility in Bicutan, Taguig.\nBI operatives arrested Mr. Sy on Aug. 21 after arriving from Hong Kong. He was detained due to an alleged misrepresentation of his citizenship.\u00a0 \u00a0\nFNI is a listed mining company that has business interests in nickel ore mining, logistics, cement and steel production, and port operations. \u2014 Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Revin Mikhael D. Ochave, and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-25T20:08:44+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-25T20:08:44+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FNI-Global-Ferronickel.jpg", "tags": [ "Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio", "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Revin Mikhael D. Ochave", "The Nation" ] }, { "id": "/?p=693375", "url": "/agribusiness/2025/08/25/693375/camarines-sur-cold-storage-complex-up-and-running-by-dec/", "title": "Camarines Sur cold storage complex up and running by Dec.", "content_html": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said a P500-million cold storage facility is set to open in Camarines Sur in December.
\nThe proposed facility in Pili is expected to \u201cenhance food security, generate jobs, spur agri-investments, and significantly boost farmers\u2019 incomes in Bicol and nearby regions,\u201d the DA said in a statement.
\nIt is designed to store a wide range of agricultural commodities including vegetables, meat, chicken and fish, the DA added.
\nThe cold storage complex will have six refrigerated warehouses, each capable of storing approximately 224 tons of agricultural products.
\nWith a total capacity exceeding 1,300 tons, the facility is designed to serve not just Camarines Sur, but also other parts of Bicol, the Visayas, and even Mindanao, whose products pass through the province on their way to Metro Manila and other major markets.
\nThe DA said the facility features a solar power system to help cut electricity costs, a blast freezer, and a processing and packing area to support value-adding services for farmers.
\n\u201cIt will allow them to preserve their harvest longer, reduce spoilage, and access new markets,\u201d Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said.
\nThe DA said sites in Taguig City, Cabanatuan City, Occidental Mindoro and Isabela are set to open starting next year.
\n\u201cIn addition, over 100 modular cold storage units will be deployed to various farming communities across the country,\u201d it added. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said a P500-million cold storage facility is set to open in Camarines Sur in December.\nThe proposed facility in Pili is expected to \u201cenhance food security, generate jobs, spur agri-investments, and significantly boost farmers\u2019 incomes in Bicol and nearby regions,\u201d the DA said in a statement.\nIt is designed to store a wide range of agricultural commodities including vegetables, meat, chicken and fish, the DA added.\nThe cold storage complex will have six refrigerated warehouses, each capable of storing approximately 224 tons of agricultural products.\nWith a total capacity exceeding 1,300 tons, the facility is designed to serve not just Camarines Sur, but also other parts of Bicol, the Visayas, and even Mindanao, whose products pass through the province on their way to Metro Manila and other major markets.\nThe DA said the facility features a solar power system to help cut electricity costs, a blast freezer, and a processing and packing area to support value-adding services for farmers.\n\u201cIt will allow them to preserve their harvest longer, reduce spoilage, and access new markets,\u201d Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said.\nThe DA said sites in Taguig City, Cabanatuan City, Occidental Mindoro and Isabela are set to open starting next year.\n\u201cIn addition, over 100 modular cold storage units will be deployed to various farming communities across the country,\u201d it added. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-25T00:04:43+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-24T18:23:26+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Camsur-cold-storage.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Agribusiness", "Editors' Picks" ] }, { "id": "/?p=693374", "url": "/agribusiness/2025/08/25/693374/brazils-frigon-sees-phl-demand-for-beef-growing-with-middle-classes/", "title": "Brazil\u2019s FRIGON sees PHL demand for beef growing with middle classes", "content_html": "A BRAZILIAN beef processor and exporter said the Philippines\u2019 growing middle class will fuel demand for high-quality protein.
\nFRIGON (Irm\u00e3os Gon\u00e7alves Com\u00e9rcio e Ind\u00fastria Ltda.), currently exports mainly grass-fed Nelore cattle to the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
\n\u201cThe Philippine market represents an exciting opportunity,\u201d the company told 大象传媒.
\u201cWe see the country as a dynamic economy with a growing demand for high-quality protein, where beef consumption continues to expand alongside a rising middle class,\u201d it added.
\nThe company said it is \u201cconfident\u201d of servicing Philippine market requirements for \u201csafe, reliable, and premium Brazilian beef,\u201d citing its \u201cstrong capacity, international certifications, and flexibility in adapting our products to the clients\u2019 demand.\u201d
\n\u201cWe are looking forward to building long-term partnerships in the Philippines and to supporting the development of stronger trade relations between our countries,\u201d FRIGON said.
\nFRIGON has the capacity to slaughter 2,000 head of cattle per day, with an expansion underway to double capacity by 2026 in response to growing global demand.
\nIn 2024, the Philippines was the 5th largest destination for Brazilian beef, accounting for 92,200 metric tons or 3.19% of Brazil\u2019s total exports.\u00a0\u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "A BRAZILIAN beef processor and exporter said the Philippines\u2019 growing middle class will fuel demand for high-quality protein.\nFRIGON (Irm\u00e3os Gon\u00e7alves Com\u00e9rcio e Ind\u00fastria Ltda.), currently exports mainly grass-fed Nelore cattle to the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.\n\u201cThe Philippine market represents an exciting opportunity,\u201d the company told 大象传媒.\n\u201cWe see the country as a dynamic economy with a growing demand for high-quality protein, where beef consumption continues to expand alongside a rising middle class,\u201d it added.\nThe company said it is \u201cconfident\u201d of servicing Philippine market requirements for \u201csafe, reliable, and premium Brazilian beef,\u201d citing its \u201cstrong capacity, international certifications, and flexibility in adapting our products to the clients\u2019 demand.\u201d\n\u201cWe are looking forward to building long-term partnerships in the Philippines and to supporting the development of stronger trade relations between our countries,\u201d FRIGON said.\nFRIGON has the capacity to slaughter 2,000 head of cattle per day, with an expansion underway to double capacity by 2026 in response to growing global demand.\nIn 2024, the Philippines was the 5th largest destination for Brazilian beef, accounting for 92,200 metric tons or 3.19% of Brazil\u2019s total exports.\u00a0\u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-25T00:03:43+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-24T18:22:24+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Frigon-logo.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Agribusiness", "Editors' Picks" ] }, { "id": "/?p=693423", "url": "/economy/2025/08/24/693423/phl-sees-niche-in-climate-resilient-cacao/", "title": "PHL sees niche in climate-resilient cacao", "content_html": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is updating the cacao industry roadmap to focus on global branding and climate-resilient varieties to address the impact of climate change in the main supplier countries.
\nThe cacao strategy will focus on \u201cincreasing production, developing processing facilities, and expanding markets while promoting sustainable and ethical sourcing practices,\u201d the DA said in a statement.
\nCacao accounted for P1.78 billion of the crop sector last year by value of production.
\n\u201cThe roadmap also encourages greater private sector investment to solidify the Philippines\u2019 position as a global supplier of quality cacao,\u201d it added.
\nThe DA said cacao should be a \u201cdriver of rural employment, farmer income, and sustainable investment.\u201d
\nIt said it is developing a globally recognized \u201cBicol Cacao\u201d brand, \u201cone that\u2019s rooted in quality, climate-smart practices, and community empowerment.\u201d
\nThe DA said the global market context \u201cadds urgency and opportunity,\u201d as the cocoa bean market is valued at approximately $14 billion and is projected to grow to $17 billion by 2030.
\nIt noted that supply disruptions caused by climate change and new European regulations banning beans from deforested land have led to soaring prices of cocoa \u2014 the fermented version of cacao and main ingredient to making chocolate \u2014 peaking at over $12,000 per ton last year from $3,200 two years earlier.\u00a0
\nThe bulk of the global supply comes from Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.
\nThese shifts open the door for naturally grown, climate-resilient cacao from the Philippines \u201cto gain ground,\u201d the DA said.
\n\u201cOur targets are bold: higher yields, better incomes, and a stronger global footprint,\u201d it said.
\n\u201cBut at the core is something deeper \u2014 empowering our farmers and inspiring the next generation to see cacao not just as tradition, but as a thriving, future-ready enterprise,\u201d it added.
\n\u201cThe surge in cacao\u2019s value reflects rising demand and improved farmgate prices, further underscoring its growing economic potential,\u201d the DA said. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is updating the cacao industry roadmap to focus on global branding and climate-resilient varieties to address the impact of climate change in the main supplier countries.\nThe cacao strategy will focus on \u201cincreasing production, developing processing facilities, and expanding markets while promoting sustainable and ethical sourcing practices,\u201d the DA said in a statement.\nCacao accounted for P1.78 billion of the crop sector last year by value of production.\n\u201cThe roadmap also encourages greater private sector investment to solidify the Philippines\u2019 position as a global supplier of quality cacao,\u201d it added.\nThe DA said cacao should be a \u201cdriver of rural employment, farmer income, and sustainable investment.\u201d\nIt said it is developing a globally recognized \u201cBicol Cacao\u201d brand, \u201cone that\u2019s rooted in quality, climate-smart practices, and community empowerment.\u201d\nThe DA said the global market context \u201cadds urgency and opportunity,\u201d as the cocoa bean market is valued at approximately $14 billion and is projected to grow to $17 billion by 2030.\nIt noted that supply disruptions caused by climate change and new European regulations banning beans from deforested land have led to soaring prices of cocoa \u2014 the fermented version of cacao and main ingredient to making chocolate \u2014 peaking at over $12,000 per ton last year from $3,200 two years earlier.\u00a0\nThe bulk of the global supply comes from Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.\nThese shifts open the door for naturally grown, climate-resilient cacao from the Philippines \u201cto gain ground,\u201d the DA said.\n\u201cOur targets are bold: higher yields, better incomes, and a stronger global footprint,\u201d it said.\n\u201cBut at the core is something deeper \u2014 empowering our farmers and inspiring the next generation to see cacao not just as tradition, but as a thriving, future-ready enterprise,\u201d it added.\n\u201cThe surge in cacao\u2019s value reflects rising demand and improved farmgate prices, further underscoring its growing economic potential,\u201d the DA said. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-24T19:20:10+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-24T19:22:22+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cacao-filefoto.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy", "One News" ] }, { "id": "/?p=693077", "url": "/economy/2025/08/21/693077/chicken-production-up-8-2-in-second-quarter/", "title": "Chicken production up 8.2% in second quarter", "content_html": "CHICKEN production in the three months to June rose 8.2%, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported, reflecting the switch to other meats due to high pork prices.
\nChicken produced in the second quarter amounted to 563.04 thousand metric tons (MT).
\nIn 2023 and 2024, chicken production rose 3.2% and 8.9%, respectively, it added.
\nCentral Luzon accounted for 33.6% or 189.09 thousand MT of production during the period, with output growing by 22.30 thousand MT from a year earlier.
\nIt was followed by Calabarzon with 113.60 thousand MT, Northern Mindanao with 41.16 thousand MT, the Central Visayas with 35.52 thousand MT, and Soccsksargen with 26.48 thousand MT.
\nOf the total, broiler chicken accounted for 87.5%, followed by native/improved chicken at 11.0% share, culled layer chicken at 1.2%, and gamefowl for breeding at 0.2%.
\nAt the end of June, the chicken inventory was 212.83 million birds, down 2.3% from a year earlier.
\nChicken egg production in the three months to June rose 4.8% year on year to 207.76 thousand MT.
\nCalabarzon was the top producer of chicken egg with 68.09 thousand MT or a 32.8% share, followed by Central Luzon (35.72 thousand MT), the Central Visayas (20.75 thousand MT), Northern Mindanao (18.24 thousand MT), and Soccsksargen (10.39 thousand MT).
\nThe PSA said hog production in the three months to June fell 7.5% to 390.49 thousand MT on a liveweight basis.
\nCentral Luzon accounted for 56.90 thousand MT, or 14.6% of the total, followed by Calabarzon (52.87 thousand MT), Northern Mindanao (50.61 thousand MT), Central Visayas (36.01 thousand MT), and Davao Region (29.77 thousand MT).
\nThe PSA said 14 regions registered declining production during the quarter, with the Central Visayas posting the highest decrease of 13.66 thousand MT.
\nAs of the end of June, the national swine inventory was 9.01 million head, down 5.6% from a year earlier.
\nAbout 71.6% of the swine population was grown by smallholder farms, while 24.8% and 3.6% were grown by commercial and semi-commercial farms, respectively.
\nThe PSA said dairy production in the three months to June hit 8.38 thousand MT, up 9.6% from a year earlier.
\nCalabarzon accounted for 2.27 thousand MT or 27.1% of the total dairy production, followed by Western Visayas (1.37 thousand MT), Northern Mindanao (1.02 thousand MT), Central Luzon (1.01 thousand MT), and Central Visayas (0.57 thousand MT).
\nAs of June 30, the dairy animal herd rose 16.4% to 166.41 thousand head.
\nDairy carabaos accounted for 54% of the herd, followed by dairy goat at 23.5% and dairy cattle at 22.5%. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza\u00a0
\n", "content_text": "CHICKEN production in the three months to June rose 8.2%, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported, reflecting the switch to other meats due to high pork prices.\nChicken produced in the second quarter amounted to 563.04 thousand metric tons (MT).\nIn 2023 and 2024, chicken production rose 3.2% and 8.9%, respectively, it added.\nCentral Luzon accounted for 33.6% or 189.09 thousand MT of production during the period, with output growing by 22.30 thousand MT from a year earlier.\nIt was followed by Calabarzon with 113.60 thousand MT, Northern Mindanao with 41.16 thousand MT, the Central Visayas with 35.52 thousand MT, and Soccsksargen with 26.48 thousand MT.\nOf the total, broiler chicken accounted for 87.5%, followed by native/improved chicken at 11.0% share, culled layer chicken at 1.2%, and gamefowl for breeding at 0.2%.\nAt the end of June, the chicken inventory was 212.83 million birds, down 2.3% from a year earlier.\nChicken egg production in the three months to June rose 4.8% year on year to 207.76 thousand MT.\nCalabarzon was the top producer of chicken egg with 68.09 thousand MT or a 32.8% share, followed by Central Luzon (35.72 thousand MT), the Central Visayas (20.75 thousand MT), Northern Mindanao (18.24 thousand MT), and Soccsksargen (10.39 thousand MT).\nThe PSA said hog production in the three months to June fell 7.5% to 390.49 thousand MT on a liveweight basis.\nCentral Luzon accounted for 56.90 thousand MT, or 14.6% of the total, followed by Calabarzon (52.87 thousand MT), Northern Mindanao (50.61 thousand MT), Central Visayas (36.01 thousand MT), and Davao Region (29.77 thousand MT).\nThe PSA said 14 regions registered declining production during the quarter, with the Central Visayas posting the highest decrease of 13.66 thousand MT.\nAs of the end of June, the national swine inventory was 9.01 million head, down 5.6% from a year earlier.\nAbout 71.6% of the swine population was grown by smallholder farms, while 24.8% and 3.6% were grown by commercial and semi-commercial farms, respectively.\nThe PSA said dairy production in the three months to June hit 8.38 thousand MT, up 9.6% from a year earlier.\nCalabarzon accounted for 2.27 thousand MT or 27.1% of the total dairy production, followed by Western Visayas (1.37 thousand MT), Northern Mindanao (1.02 thousand MT), Central Luzon (1.01 thousand MT), and Central Visayas (0.57 thousand MT).\nAs of June 30, the dairy animal herd rose 16.4% to 166.41 thousand head.\nDairy carabaos accounted for 54% of the herd, followed by dairy goat at 23.5% and dairy cattle at 22.5%. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza\u00a0", "date_published": "2025-08-21T19:28:15+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-21T19:28:15+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Chickens-poultry.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy", "One News" ] }, { "id": "/?p=693076", "url": "/economy/2025/08/21/693076/better-tasting-rice-to-be-cultivated-in-next-planting/", "title": "Better-tasting rice to be cultivated in next planting", "content_html": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will encourage the cultivation of high-yielding rice that satisfies consumer preferences for taste.
\nAgriculture spokesman Arnel V. de Mesa said the DA will study imported rice varieties like Vietnam\u2019s OM18, OM5451, and DT8, which are both high-yielding and make for good eating.
\nSome Philippine rice varieties are high-yielding but are not considered good-tasting, like 222 and RC10, he said.
\n\u201cWe cannot sacrifice the quality and quantity,\u201d he added.
\nMr. De Mesa said the DA will help farmers plant high-yielding, good-quality varieties in the next cropping season.
\nThe DA expects a harvest of about 11 million metric tons during the wet season, which runs between October and November. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will encourage the cultivation of high-yielding rice that satisfies consumer preferences for taste.\nAgriculture spokesman Arnel V. de Mesa said the DA will study imported rice varieties like Vietnam\u2019s OM18, OM5451, and DT8, which are both high-yielding and make for good eating.\nSome Philippine rice varieties are high-yielding but are not considered good-tasting, like 222 and RC10, he said.\n\u201cWe cannot sacrifice the quality and quantity,\u201d he added.\nMr. De Mesa said the DA will help farmers plant high-yielding, good-quality varieties in the next cropping season.\nThe DA expects a harvest of about 11 million metric tons during the wet season, which runs between October and November. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-21T19:27:53+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-21T19:38:15+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/farmer-rice.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy", "One News" ] }, { "id": "/?p=692848", "url": "/economy/2025/08/20/692848/sustainability-of-phl-tuna-seen-at-risk-after-sc-ruling/", "title": "Sustainability of PHL tuna seen at risk after SC ruling", "content_html": "By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter
\nPHILIPPINE tuna could struggle to obtain sustainability certificates following a Supreme Court (SC) ruling that allowed commercial vessels to operate within municipal waters, tuna industry groups said on Tuesday.
\n\u201cAllowing commercial vessels in municipal waters raises serious questions about stock management and environmental enforcement,\u201d according to Veronica Rabano of Jarla Trading, a member of the Philippine Association of Tuna Processors Inc., (PATPI).
\nShe said the ruling could jeopardize the industry\u2019s access to crucial export markets which require traceability and sustainability of fish products.
\nThe Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) estimates that about 70% of tuna caught in municipal waters is harvested by small-scale fisherfolk.
\nBernard Mayo, who chairs the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council in Mamburao, Mindoro, said in a statement that municipal fisherfolk who supply tuna to processors have been affected by dwindling catches.
\n\u201cWe catch less tuna these days. We used to catch around 100 kilograms per trip. Now, we catch less than 50, if anything,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cThe area designated for municipal fishing is already small, and (commercial operators) want to encroach on that too,\u201d he added.
\nMs. Rabano said the Supreme Court ruling, once enforced, will affect the entire tuna export supply chain.
\n\u201cMaintaining our certifications is not just about brand reputation; it\u2019s a matter of survival for our business. If we lose them, we risk losing access to our key markets,\u201d she said.
\nPATPI is a member of the Philippine Tuna Handline Partnership (PTHP), which also includes the Gulf of Lagonoy Tuna Fishers Federation, Inc. (GLTFFI) and the Occidental Mindoro Federation of Tuna Fishers Associations (OMFTFA).
\nIt took years and millions of pesos to complete the certification process for the PTHP, which became the first group to receive a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification in October 2021.
\nThe Philippines is the fourth-largest tuna exporter in the region, with its shipments hitting $500 million in 2024.
\nAside from the European Union, other primary markets for Philippine tuna are the US and Japan, \u201call demanding proof of sustainability through third-party ecolabels, such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Friend of the Sea (FOS) labels,\u201d Oceana Philippines said.
\n\u201cObtaining these certifications enables exporters to enter more lucrative segments, command higher prices for certified products, and maintain access as regulatory standards evolve,\u201d it added.
\n", "content_text": "By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter\nPHILIPPINE tuna could struggle to obtain sustainability certificates following a Supreme Court (SC) ruling that allowed commercial vessels to operate within municipal waters, tuna industry groups said on Tuesday.\n\u201cAllowing commercial vessels in municipal waters raises serious questions about stock management and environmental enforcement,\u201d according to Veronica Rabano of Jarla Trading, a member of the Philippine Association of Tuna Processors Inc., (PATPI).\nShe said the ruling could jeopardize the industry\u2019s access to crucial export markets which require traceability and sustainability of fish products.\nThe Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) estimates that about 70% of tuna caught in municipal waters is harvested by small-scale fisherfolk.\nBernard Mayo, who chairs the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council in Mamburao, Mindoro, said in a statement that municipal fisherfolk who supply tuna to processors have been affected by dwindling catches.\n\u201cWe catch less tuna these days. We used to catch around 100 kilograms per trip. Now, we catch less than 50, if anything,\u201d he said.\n\u201cThe area designated for municipal fishing is already small, and (commercial operators) want to encroach on that too,\u201d he added.\nMs. Rabano said the Supreme Court ruling, once enforced, will affect the entire tuna export supply chain.\n\u201cMaintaining our certifications is not just about brand reputation; it\u2019s a matter of survival for our business. If we lose them, we risk losing access to our key markets,\u201d she said.\nPATPI is a member of the Philippine Tuna Handline Partnership (PTHP), which also includes the Gulf of Lagonoy Tuna Fishers Federation, Inc. (GLTFFI) and the Occidental Mindoro Federation of Tuna Fishers Associations (OMFTFA).\nIt took years and millions of pesos to complete the certification process for the PTHP, which became the first group to receive a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification in October 2021.\nThe Philippines is the fourth-largest tuna exporter in the region, with its shipments hitting $500 million in 2024.\nAside from the European Union, other primary markets for Philippine tuna are the US and Japan, \u201call demanding proof of sustainability through third-party ecolabels, such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Friend of the Sea (FOS) labels,\u201d Oceana Philippines said.\n\u201cObtaining these certifications enables exporters to enter more lucrative segments, command higher prices for certified products, and maintain access as regulatory standards evolve,\u201d it added.", "date_published": "2025-08-20T20:40:38+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-20T20:40:38+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Tuna-fish.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy" ], "summary": "PHILIPPINE tuna could struggle to obtain sustainability certificates following a Supreme Court (SC) ruling that allowed commercial vessels to operate within municipal waters, tuna industry groups said on Tuesday." }, { "id": "/?p=692844", "url": "/economy/2025/08/20/692844/quotas-backed-for-rice-importers-tied-to-their-purchases-of-palay-agri-dept/", "title": "Quotas backed for rice importers tied to their purchases of palay \u2014 Agri dep\u2019t", "content_html": "THE private sector needs to be set rice import quotas tied to the level of their purchases of palay (unmilled rice) from domestic farmers, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. told Senators on Tuesday.
\nThe quota is among the proposals put forward by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to amend the Rice Tariffication Law of 2019, Mr. Laurel said.
\nThe law had allowed unrestricted imports by private traders who were made to pay an initial tariff of 35% on their shipments. Private imports were meant to replace imports brought in by the National Food Authority (NFA), whose import powers were stripped from it.
\nHe added that private importers should share the NFA\u2019s remaining function of maintaining the national rice reserve.
\n\u201cI was thinking of 50-50,\u201d he said, noting that if the buffer stock requirement is increased to 20 days from 15 currently, the government and the private sector should each maintain stock sufficient for 10 days\u2019 demand.
\nThe 50-50 scheme is expected to boost palay purchases and save the government storage costs, Mr. Laurel noted.
\n\u201cIf possible, we only import what we need plus the buffer stock,\u201d he said, noting that only the private sector will remain solely responsible for imports.
\nEarlier amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law\u00a0 increased the minimum reserve requirement to 15 days\u2019 demand from 9. Under the law, all rice held in reserve must be sourced from domestic farmers.
\nThe DA is also seeking restoration of the National Food Authority\u2019s regulatory duties and power to sell rice directly to the public.
\nCurrently, the NFA is only allowed to sell rice to local government units (LGUs) and a limited number of other entities upon the declaration of a food security emergency.
\nMr. Laurel noted\u00a0that LGUs prefer imported rice over NFA stock due to the low price of imports.
\nHe urged senators to back measures to modernize irrigation and logistics.
\n\u201cTo irrigate over a million hectares of farmland, we need more than P1 trillion. Without it, we enrich foreign farmers while our own continue to struggle,\u201d he said, noting that \u201cinvestment must match ambition if the Philippines is to achieve self-sufficiency and food security.\u201d
\nHe also expressed his opposition to\u00a0the devolution of agricultural extension services under the Local Government Code.
\nAlso on Wednesday, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Francis Pancratius N. Pangilinan sought to convene the Congressional Oversight Committee on Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage under Section 25 of Republic Act No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act.
\nHe said the government should start prosecuting rice traders under the law.
\nMr. Pangilinan also\u00a0urged the government to tap the nearly 25,000 graduates of agriculture courses from state universities and colleges, government schools, and other universities to fill the 2,500 vacancies at the DA. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE private sector needs to be set rice import quotas tied to the level of their purchases of palay (unmilled rice) from domestic farmers, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. told Senators on Tuesday.\nThe quota is among the proposals put forward by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to amend the Rice Tariffication Law of 2019, Mr. Laurel said.\nThe law had allowed unrestricted imports by private traders who were made to pay an initial tariff of 35% on their shipments. Private imports were meant to replace imports brought in by the National Food Authority (NFA), whose import powers were stripped from it.\nHe added that private importers should share the NFA\u2019s remaining function of maintaining the national rice reserve.\n\u201cI was thinking of 50-50,\u201d he said, noting that if the buffer stock requirement is increased to 20 days from 15 currently, the government and the private sector should each maintain stock sufficient for 10 days\u2019 demand.\nThe 50-50 scheme is expected to boost palay purchases and save the government storage costs, Mr. Laurel noted.\n\u201cIf possible, we only import what we need plus the buffer stock,\u201d he said, noting that only the private sector will remain solely responsible for imports.\nEarlier amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law\u00a0 increased the minimum reserve requirement to 15 days\u2019 demand from 9. Under the law, all rice held in reserve must be sourced from domestic farmers.\nThe DA is also seeking restoration of the National Food Authority\u2019s regulatory duties and power to sell rice directly to the public.\nCurrently, the NFA is only allowed to sell rice to local government units (LGUs) and a limited number of other entities upon the declaration of a food security emergency.\nMr. Laurel noted\u00a0that LGUs prefer imported rice over NFA stock due to the low price of imports.\nHe urged senators to back measures to modernize irrigation and logistics.\n\u201cTo irrigate over a million hectares of farmland, we need more than P1 trillion. Without it, we enrich foreign farmers while our own continue to struggle,\u201d he said, noting that \u201cinvestment must match ambition if the Philippines is to achieve self-sufficiency and food security.\u201d\nHe also expressed his opposition to\u00a0the devolution of agricultural extension services under the Local Government Code.\nAlso on Wednesday, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Francis Pancratius N. Pangilinan sought to convene the Congressional Oversight Committee on Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage under Section 25 of Republic Act No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act.\nHe said the government should start prosecuting rice traders under the law.\nMr. Pangilinan also\u00a0urged the government to tap the nearly 25,000 graduates of agriculture courses from state universities and colleges, government schools, and other universities to fill the 2,500 vacancies at the DA. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-20T20:39:15+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-20T20:57:50+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Rice-warehouse-worker-2.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy" ] }, { "id": "/?p=692651", "url": "/economy/2025/08/19/692651/agri-department-sees-signs-of-monopoly-in-rice-milling-industry/", "title": "Agri department sees signs of monopoly in rice milling industry", "content_html": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said capacity utilization data are pointing to possible monopolies in rice milling, and signaled measures to bring utilization down to healthier levels.
\nThe measures include reorganizing the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) to focus more on production-side equipment, leaving the DA the responsibility of producing rice processing systems, it said in a statement.
\nAgriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said some rice millers are operating at nearly 100% capacity, which he noted was an indicator of \u201cmonopolistic conditions.\u201d
\n\u201cOur target utilization rate is 80% to 85%,\u201d he said, at which level millers can operate with appropriate efficiency.
\nHe said once rice mill usage stabilizes within the target range, PhilMech will be refocused on production-side equipment like tractors and seeders.
\nPhilMech currently makes large-scale rice processing systems.
\n\u201cThis strategic shift would support the National Food Authority, which has seen its milling and drying capacity significantly diminished since the Rice Tariffication Law of 2019 scaled back its operational role,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cBy focusing on smart utilization rather than unchecked expansion, the DA aims to balance market supply, stabilize rice prices, and protect farmer incomes,\u201d it said.
\nThe Rice Tariffication Law gave rise to the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, which is financed by rice import tariffs and funds equipment procurement to modernize the rice industry. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said capacity utilization data are pointing to possible monopolies in rice milling, and signaled measures to bring utilization down to healthier levels.\nThe measures include reorganizing the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) to focus more on production-side equipment, leaving the DA the responsibility of producing rice processing systems, it said in a statement.\nAgriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said some rice millers are operating at nearly 100% capacity, which he noted was an indicator of \u201cmonopolistic conditions.\u201d\n\u201cOur target utilization rate is 80% to 85%,\u201d he said, at which level millers can operate with appropriate efficiency.\nHe said once rice mill usage stabilizes within the target range, PhilMech will be refocused on production-side equipment like tractors and seeders.\nPhilMech currently makes large-scale rice processing systems.\n\u201cThis strategic shift would support the National Food Authority, which has seen its milling and drying capacity significantly diminished since the Rice Tariffication Law of 2019 scaled back its operational role,\u201d he said.\n\u201cBy focusing on smart utilization rather than unchecked expansion, the DA aims to balance market supply, stabilize rice prices, and protect farmer incomes,\u201d it said.\nThe Rice Tariffication Law gave rise to the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, which is financed by rice import tariffs and funds equipment procurement to modernize the rice industry. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-19T20:47:56+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-19T20:47:56+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DA-PhilMech-rice-mill.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy" ] }, { "id": "/?p=692652", "url": "/economy/2025/08/19/692652/sugarcane-pests-spread-to-3394-hectares-of-visayas-plantations/", "title": "Sugarcane pests spread to 3,394 hectares of Visayas plantations", "content_html": "A PEST infestation in Visayas sugar plantations has been reported on 3,394 hectares (ha) as of Aug. 11, according to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
\nOn Aug. 1, the area affected by the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) had been 3,264 ha, it said.
\nSome 1,923 farmers were affected by the infestation of RSSI, which has the potential to reduce sugar content in cane by 50%, the SRA told 大象传媒.
\nIt said the SRA is still \u201cawaiting a permit to use\u201d from the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority before procuring certain pesticides for sugar cane, after the province of Negros Occidental declared a state of calamity in mid-July.
\nRSSI was detected in 3,290 ha of Negros Occidental sugar land.
\nIt was followed by Iloilo (59.69 ha), Capiz (25.1 ha), Leyte (12.17 ha), and Negros Oriental (7.6 ha).
\nSRA researchers were conducting field studies on mass producing pathogenic fungi to counter RSSI.
\nThe fungi reduce the reproductive capacity of the targeted organism. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "A PEST infestation in Visayas sugar plantations has been reported on 3,394 hectares (ha) as of Aug. 11, according to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).\nOn Aug. 1, the area affected by the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) had been 3,264 ha, it said.\nSome 1,923 farmers were affected by the infestation of RSSI, which has the potential to reduce sugar content in cane by 50%, the SRA told 大象传媒.\nIt said the SRA is still \u201cawaiting a permit to use\u201d from the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority before procuring certain pesticides for sugar cane, after the province of Negros Occidental declared a state of calamity in mid-July.\nRSSI was detected in 3,290 ha of Negros Occidental sugar land.\nIt was followed by Iloilo (59.69 ha), Capiz (25.1 ha), Leyte (12.17 ha), and Negros Oriental (7.6 ha).\nSRA researchers were conducting field studies on mass producing pathogenic fungi to counter RSSI.\nThe fungi reduce the reproductive capacity of the targeted organism. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-19T20:46:45+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-19T20:46:45+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/India-sugarcane-field-worker.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy" ] }, { "id": "/?p=692390", "url": "/economy/2025/08/18/692390/rice-import-freeze-not-expected-to-affect-inflation-stocks-ample/", "title": "Rice import freeze not expected to affect inflation; stocks ample", "content_html": "THE temporary ban on rice imports is not expected to stoke inflation as rice stocks remain substantial, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
\n\u201cWe had a record harvest in the first half, plus we are expecting a record harvest for the wet season,\u201d DA spokesman Arnel V. De Mesa told reporters.
\n\u201cThis means that we have lots of rice and palay (unmilled rice) in circulation. (We do not expect) sudden surges in rice prices,\u201d he added.
\nPresident Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. suspended rice imports between September and October to provide relief to farmers, who have had to sell their grain to traders for as little as P8 per kilo in some places, well below production costs.
\nMr. De Mesa noted that due to the upcoming import ban, the international price of Vietnamese rice declined.
\nHe noted that the Philippines accounts for 45% of Vietnam\u2019s rice shipments.
\nPalay production in the first half of 2025 rose 6.4% year on year to 9.08 million metric tons (MMT), of which 4.38 MMT came in during the three months to June, the highest second-quarter output since 1987.
\nThe Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the national rice inventory as of July 1 rose 27% year on year to 2.8 MMT.
\nRice carries a 9% weighting in the basket of goods used to estimate inflation.
\nThe Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) has said that the sustained drop in rice prices has significantly eased the cost of living for low-income households.
\nMr. De Mesa said rice tariff collections, which go towards supporting the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), were substantial during the earlier months of the year, adding that the import suspension will not affect the RCEF\u2019s funding.
\nThe Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) reported that imported rice landed between January and July totaled 2.44 MMT.
\nMr. De Mesa urged legislators to give equal attention to water impounding and irrigation projects after flood control projects came under scrutiny following their failure to prevent floods during the spate of July rains.
\nHe noted that floods result in the loss of 500,000-600,000 metric tons of palay annually.
\nCentral Luzon, the leading rice-producing region, was heavily affected by flooding in July.
\nIrrigation systems, which have separate drainage systems, are \u201clong-term\u201d investments, Mr. De Mesa noted. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE temporary ban on rice imports is not expected to stoke inflation as rice stocks remain substantial, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).\n\u201cWe had a record harvest in the first half, plus we are expecting a record harvest for the wet season,\u201d DA spokesman Arnel V. De Mesa told reporters.\n\u201cThis means that we have lots of rice and palay (unmilled rice) in circulation. (We do not expect) sudden surges in rice prices,\u201d he added.\nPresident Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. suspended rice imports between September and October to provide relief to farmers, who have had to sell their grain to traders for as little as P8 per kilo in some places, well below production costs.\nMr. De Mesa noted that due to the upcoming import ban, the international price of Vietnamese rice declined.\nHe noted that the Philippines accounts for 45% of Vietnam\u2019s rice shipments.\nPalay production in the first half of 2025 rose 6.4% year on year to 9.08 million metric tons (MMT), of which 4.38 MMT came in during the three months to June, the highest second-quarter output since 1987.\nThe Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the national rice inventory as of July 1 rose 27% year on year to 2.8 MMT.\nRice carries a 9% weighting in the basket of goods used to estimate inflation.\nThe Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) has said that the sustained drop in rice prices has significantly eased the cost of living for low-income households.\nMr. De Mesa said rice tariff collections, which go towards supporting the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), were substantial during the earlier months of the year, adding that the import suspension will not affect the RCEF\u2019s funding. \nThe Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) reported that imported rice landed between January and July totaled 2.44 MMT.\nMr. De Mesa urged legislators to give equal attention to water impounding and irrigation projects after flood control projects came under scrutiny following their failure to prevent floods during the spate of July rains.\nHe noted that floods result in the loss of 500,000-600,000 metric tons of palay annually.\nCentral Luzon, the leading rice-producing region, was heavily affected by flooding in July.\nIrrigation systems, which have separate drainage systems, are \u201clong-term\u201d investments, Mr. De Mesa noted. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-18T20:55:47+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-18T20:55:47+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/NFA-rice-warehouse-worker.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy", "Editors' Picks", "One News" ] }, { "id": "/?p=692386", "url": "/economy/2025/08/18/692386/fisherfolk-set-to-join-p20-rice-beneficiary-list/", "title": "Fisherfolk set to join P20 rice beneficiary list", "content_html": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said the beneficiary list of P20-per-kilo rice program will be expanded this month to include fisherfolk.
\nThe DA said the rice will start to go on sale at fishports by the end of the month.
\n\u201cWeekly provincial rollouts will also continue in areas with active NFA (National Food Authority) depots through the end of the year,\u201d it said in a statement on Monday.
\nAgriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the rice program is the DA\u2019s \u201cbiggest challenge\u201d that still needs \u201cfull support\u201d from the government. The subsidized-rice program currently benefits nearly 400,000 families.
\n\u201cWe have the stocks. We have the budget. What we need now is urgency and unity,\u201d he said, referring to the P10-billion increase in rice program funding under the 2026 national budget.
\nThe program was originally limited to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents and indigents. It was recently expanded to minimum wage earners,\u00a0beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development\u2019s Walang Gutom program, and farmers and farm workers enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said the beneficiary list of P20-per-kilo rice program will be expanded this month to include fisherfolk.\nThe DA said the rice will start to go on sale at fishports by the end of the month.\n\u201cWeekly provincial rollouts will also continue in areas with active NFA (National Food Authority) depots through the end of the year,\u201d it said in a statement on Monday.\nAgriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the rice program is the DA\u2019s \u201cbiggest challenge\u201d that still needs \u201cfull support\u201d from the government. The subsidized-rice program currently benefits nearly 400,000 families.\n\u201cWe have the stocks. We have the budget. What we need now is urgency and unity,\u201d he said, referring to the P10-billion increase in rice program funding under the 2026 national budget.\nThe program was originally limited to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents and indigents. It was recently expanded to minimum wage earners,\u00a0beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development\u2019s Walang Gutom program, and farmers and farm workers enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-18T20:54:56+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-18T20:54:56+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Fishermen.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy", "One News" ] }, { "id": "/?p=692380", "url": "/economy/2025/08/18/692380/denr-supports-hiring-of-informal-waste-collectors/", "title": "DENR supports hiring of informal waste collectors", "content_html": "THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it supports the absorption of waste collectors by the formal waste management industry.
\nThe DENR said in a statement that informal collectors can thereby access welfare benefits, boosting their economic opportunities.
\nIt said while Republic Act 9003 provides the legal framework for solid waste management, it does not yet establish clear protections or governance structures for the informal waste sector.
\n\u201cThe informal waste workers remain excluded from the solid waste management value chain, yet their work is indispensable and forms the very backbone of a supply chain that advances environmental sustainability,\u201d Environment Secretary Raphael P. M. Lotilla said.
\n\u201cFaced with the growing weight of plastic pollution, we must build stronger partnerships that turn our environmental goals into tangible results that benefit all sectors, protect all ecosystems, and uplift all communities,\u201d he added.
\nInformal waste workers include waste reclaimers, itinerant waste buyers, and small junk shop operators who recover and recycle significant amounts of waste materials, which help reduce the dependency on landfills.
\nAccording to the DENR\u2019s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), informal waste workers operate without workplace safety protections, stable incomes, or access to social services.
\n\u201cExposure to hazardous materials puts them at risk of respiratory illnesses, infections, and injuries,\u201d it added.
\nThe National Solid Waste Management Commission requires local government units to integrate programs supporting informal waste workers into their 10-year solid waste management plans to ensure institutional recognition and access to essential services.
\nIn 2024, the EMB briefed about 200 informal waste workers in the National Capital Region, Region III, and Region IV-A on their role in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022 and the Ecological Solid Waste Management\u00a0 Act of 2000, particularly in helping producers achieve recycling targets under the EPR system.
\nThis year, the EMB will provide grants for weighing scales to 50 junk shops in Quezon City to support waste recovery and recycling, and connect workers to larger markets and enterprises where they can support producers seeking to comply with the EPR Act. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it supports the absorption of waste collectors by the formal waste management industry.\nThe DENR said in a statement that informal collectors can thereby access welfare benefits, boosting their economic opportunities.\nIt said while Republic Act 9003 provides the legal framework for solid waste management, it does not yet establish clear protections or governance structures for the informal waste sector.\n\u201cThe informal waste workers remain excluded from the solid waste management value chain, yet their work is indispensable and forms the very backbone of a supply chain that advances environmental sustainability,\u201d Environment Secretary Raphael P. M. Lotilla said.\n\u201cFaced with the growing weight of plastic pollution, we must build stronger partnerships that turn our environmental goals into tangible results that benefit all sectors, protect all ecosystems, and uplift all communities,\u201d he added.\nInformal waste workers include waste reclaimers, itinerant waste buyers, and small junk shop operators who recover and recycle significant amounts of waste materials, which help reduce the dependency on landfills.\nAccording to the DENR\u2019s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), informal waste workers operate without workplace safety protections, stable incomes, or access to social services.\n\u201cExposure to hazardous materials puts them at risk of respiratory illnesses, infections, and injuries,\u201d it added.\nThe National Solid Waste Management Commission requires local government units to integrate programs supporting informal waste workers into their 10-year solid waste management plans to ensure institutional recognition and access to essential services.\nIn 2024, the EMB briefed about 200 informal waste workers in the National Capital Region, Region III, and Region IV-A on their role in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022 and the Ecological Solid Waste Management\u00a0 Act of 2000, particularly in helping producers achieve recycling targets under the EPR system.\nThis year, the EMB will provide grants for weighing scales to 50 junk shops in Quezon City to support waste recovery and recycling, and connect workers to larger markets and enterprises where they can support producers seeking to comply with the EPR Act. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-18T20:52:48+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-18T20:52:48+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/dumpsite-Tanza-Cavite-DENR.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Economy" ] }, { "id": "/?p=692337", "url": "/the-nation/2025/08/18/692337/metro-manila-air-quality-improved-in-2024-due-to-euro-4-fuel-standards-says-denr/", "title": "Metro Manila air quality improved in 2024 due to Euro 4 fuel standards, says DENR", "content_html": "AIR QUALITY in Metro Manila improved significantly in 2024, largely due to emission-reduction programs including the enforcement of Euro 4 fuel standards since 2016, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.
\nBased on data from the agency\u2019s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), average particulate matter 10 (PM10) concentration in the capital region fell 17.4% to 38 micrograms per normal cubic meter (\u00b5g/ncm) from 46 \u00b5g/ncm in 2016.
\nPM10 refers to particles 10 micrometers or smaller, while PM2.5 includes finer particles of 2.5 micrometers or less. Such pollutants, often produced by vehicle exhaust, burning of fossil fuels and industrial processes, can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, the DENR said.
\nThe EMB also recorded a 37.6% improvement in PM2.5 levels in Metro Manila, from 27 \u00b5g/ncm in 2016 to 16.86 \u00b5g/ncm in 2024.
\nNationwide, the DENR reported a 28.2% reduction in PM10, from 39 \u00b5g/ncm in 2016 to 28 \u00b5g/ncm in 2024 \u2014 well below the national guideline value of 60 \u00b5g/ncm. PM2.5 levels also dropped to 16 \u00b5g/ncm in 2024 from 20 \u00b5g/ncm in 2016, reflecting the effectiveness of emission-reduction initiatives.
\nThe agency said 65% of highly urbanized and major urban centers \u2014 or 22 out of 34 cities \u2014 complied with both PM10 and PM2.5 air quality guidelines last year, surpassing the national compliance target of 62%.
\nFrom 2022 to 2024, the EMB issued 1,807 certificates for Euro 4-compliant vehicles, certifying that new units meet emission standards before entering the market. Euro 4 regulations set strict limits on pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons from both light- and heavy-duty vehicles.
\nThe DENR said it is \u201cactively leading\u201d the shift toward Euro 5 fuels and engines, which could cut particulate emissions by as much as 95.5%. It is also pushing changes to the Philippine Clean Air Act to strengthen standards regulating industrial emissions, particularly particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides.
\nThe EMB has been implementing industrial emission monitoring programs covering coal-fired power plants, cement plants and other major facilities. As of June, 20 companies with 59 stack sampling teams were accredited to conduct emission testing, up from 57 teams last year.
\nThe bureau said many facilities are now equipped with continuous emission monitoring systems linked to the EMB Data Center, allowing real-time emission tracking and ensuring compliance.
\nTo support air quality management, the EMB operates 113 air quality monitoring stations nationwide, providing real-time data on harmful pollutants to guide policymaking. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
\n", "content_text": "AIR QUALITY in Metro Manila improved significantly in 2024, largely due to emission-reduction programs including the enforcement of Euro 4 fuel standards since 2016, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.\nBased on data from the agency\u2019s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), average particulate matter 10 (PM10) concentration in the capital region fell 17.4% to 38 micrograms per normal cubic meter (\u00b5g/ncm) from 46 \u00b5g/ncm in 2016.\nPM10 refers to particles 10 micrometers or smaller, while PM2.5 includes finer particles of 2.5 micrometers or less. Such pollutants, often produced by vehicle exhaust, burning of fossil fuels and industrial processes, can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, the DENR said.\nThe EMB also recorded a 37.6% improvement in PM2.5 levels in Metro Manila, from 27 \u00b5g/ncm in 2016 to 16.86 \u00b5g/ncm in 2024.\nNationwide, the DENR reported a 28.2% reduction in PM10, from 39 \u00b5g/ncm in 2016 to 28 \u00b5g/ncm in 2024 \u2014 well below the national guideline value of 60 \u00b5g/ncm. PM2.5 levels also dropped to 16 \u00b5g/ncm in 2024 from 20 \u00b5g/ncm in 2016, reflecting the effectiveness of emission-reduction initiatives.\nThe agency said 65% of highly urbanized and major urban centers \u2014 or 22 out of 34 cities \u2014 complied with both PM10 and PM2.5 air quality guidelines last year, surpassing the national compliance target of 62%.\nFrom 2022 to 2024, the EMB issued 1,807 certificates for Euro 4-compliant vehicles, certifying that new units meet emission standards before entering the market. Euro 4 regulations set strict limits on pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons from both light- and heavy-duty vehicles.\nThe DENR said it is \u201cactively leading\u201d the shift toward Euro 5 fuels and engines, which could cut particulate emissions by as much as 95.5%. It is also pushing changes to the Philippine Clean Air Act to strengthen standards regulating industrial emissions, particularly particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides.\nThe EMB has been implementing industrial emission monitoring programs covering coal-fired power plants, cement plants and other major facilities. As of June, 20 companies with 59 stack sampling teams were accredited to conduct emission testing, up from 57 teams last year.\nThe bureau said many facilities are now equipped with continuous emission monitoring systems linked to the EMB Data Center, allowing real-time emission tracking and ensuring compliance.\nTo support air quality management, the EMB operates 113 air quality monitoring stations nationwide, providing real-time data on harmful pollutants to guide policymaking. \u2014 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "date_published": "2025-08-18T20:09:02+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-18T20:09:02+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Edsa.jpg", "tags": [ "Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza", "Editors' Picks", "The Nation" ] } ] }