‘Higher agricultural budget to boost food security’

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said yesterday that this year’s higher budget for the sector is expected to boost farm and fishery output and ensure the country’s long-term food security.

This follows President Marcos’ signing yesterday of the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, with the agriculture sector receiving P297.102 billion.

This represents a significant increase from the P237.4 billion allocated to the Department of Agriculture (DA) last year.

Tiu Laurel said the higher budget, especially for infrastructure, farming support and postharvest facilities, would improve productivity, cut losses and stabilize supply.

Investments in farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, and storage and cold chain facilities, meanwhile, are key to raising farmers’ incomes and maintaining stable consumer prices, he said.

Notably, the budget for farm-to-market roads doubled to P33 billion this year, while the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund tripled to P30 billion.

The new Animal Industry Competitiveness Act, which strengthens the Bureau of Animal Industry, has been allocated P20 billion.

The DA also noted that additional resources were set aside for the expanded P20 per kilo rice program.

“We’re happy that the budget has finally been released, but we still need to review what the final version entails,” Tiu Laurel said.

The DA chief emphasized the need for careful oversight to ensure funds reach farmers, fisherfolks and other stakeholders across the value chain.

He also stressed that public spending must deliver real, tangible benefits on the ground.

For 2026, education secured the highest allocation at P1.345 trillion, while the health sector received a historic high of P448.125 billion.