State Dining Room, Malacañan Palace
January 16, 2024
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. convened with key officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and other government agencies to discuss updates on their plans and programs addressing various concerns related to the development of agriculture during a sectoral meeting at the State Dining Room in Malacañan Palace.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. presented plans aimed at reducing the prices of agricultural commodities and enhancing agriculture production under the initiative ‘Plans of the Department of Agriculture Secretary para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas.’ This three-year plan will focus on expanding agri-fisheries areas for increased production, modernizing agri and fishery production systems, and developing and improving post-harvest systems and infrastructures, among others.
The DA Secretary also provided an update on the status of other programs and plans concerning the provision of cold chain and post-harvest facilities, particularly on the construction of cold storage facilities with larger capacities.
The DA reported that current post-harvest losses in grains, specifically in corn and rice, amount to approximately 494,000 metric tons (MT) or PhP10.76 billion a year. Through the procurement of paddy dryers, the DA projects an annual milled rice production of 3.89 million MT, with a milling recovery rate of 63%. In addition, the National Food Authority (NFA) has earmarked PhP29.8 billion for biomass and solar power substations to support post-harvest projects.
As of 30 November 2023, the DA has established 268 cold chain facilities nationwide. By June 2028, it aims to construct an additional 47 cold chain facilities. Furthermore, it plans to set up four (4) chiller storage projects with a combined budget of PhP1 billion in La Union or Baguio, Taguig City, Sariaya Municipality in Quezon Province and Occidental Mindoro.
President Marcos Jr. underscored the significance of market intelligence, emphasizing the need for market information to be easily accessible, for market data to be effectively processed and for necessary facilities to be developed.
Lastly, the DA Secretary discussed the proposed amendments to the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, focusing on the Users of Municipal Waters (Section 18). The amendment would potentially allow commercial fishing vessels to operate in municipal waters at a depth of 35 meters or more.
President Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of identifying major fishing grounds and regularly monitoring the status of fisheries in collaboration with local governments, especially concerning the recommended amendments to Section 18 of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.
To this end, he urged the concerned departments to prioritize the welfare of fishermen when creating regulations. This is to ensure that these regulations support the livelihood of fishermen and do not inadvertently have a negative impact.
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