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Government

TIU LAUREL MARKS 1ST YEAR AS AGRICULTURE CHIEF

As the Philippines’ agriculture sector grapples with a myriad of challenges—from fluctuating prices of essential commodities to the destructive forces of climate change—one man has stepped into the “perfect storm” with resilience and determination: Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. Known for his unorthodox path to success and his reputation as a self-made billionaire in […]

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Government

CAGAYAN IS NOW BIRD FLU-FREE, SAYS DA

The Department of Agriculture has declared Cagayan province free from the highly-pathogenic avian influenza after several months of monitoring and other disease control operations. In a memorandum circular no. 46, Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has declared the province bird flu-free because it has been more than 90 days since the end of the cleaning […]

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Government

BICOL FARMERS GET INSURANCE PAYMENTS FOR KRISTINE

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC), a government insurance company under the Department of Agriculture, distributed an initial P24.4 million worth of insurance payments to thousands of Bicolano farmers affected by massive flooding caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. The indemnity checks were distributed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. to affected farmers during […]

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Government

DA SEIZES P178.5M WORTH OF FROZEN FISH FROM CHINA

With the joint efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), 588 metric tons of frozen mackerel worth P178.5 million, illegally imported from China, were intercepted at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT). DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel stated that the case constitutes attempted smuggling and can be included under the […]

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Government

DA TO CONSUMERS: BUY COFFEE FROM LOCAL PRODUCERS

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. called for a broader partnership between the private sector, the government and farmers’ cooperatives to develop a sustainable coffee industry in Mindanao, particularly in light of the challenges posed by climate change and enhancing local competitiveness. “Embracing collaboration for collective action to enhance farmers’ resilience and profitability is essential. […]

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Government

DA READY TO RESTORE KRISTINE-DAMAGED FARMS

The Department of Agriculture is ready to replant farms damaged by Tropical Storm Kristine, with seeds and other inputs already prepositioned in agricultural areas on the path of the storm. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA has also initiated early harvesting among farmers and stepped up rice-buying activities of the National Food […]

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Government

TIU LAUREL TO BAI: REFINE ASF VAXXING PROTOCOL

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr.  ordered the Bureau of Animal Industry to refine its vaccination protocol to expedite rollout of the African Swine Fever vaccine developed in Vietnam that showed encouraging results in a pilot test in Batangas. Blood tests conducted by the Bureau of Animal Industry on more than three dozen pigs inoculated […]

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Government

PH EYES EXPANDED AGRI COOPERATION WITH NORWAY

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. recently met with Norwegian Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster to discuss agricultural trade and areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Norway.  The two countries have an existing six-year-old Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The Philippines and Norway have a long history of bilateral relations, primarily centered on the maritime sector. […]

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Government

DA LIFTS BAN ON LIVE CATTLE, MEAT PRODUCTS FROM UK

The Department of Agriculture has lifted the temporary ban on the importation of live cattle and meat products from the United Kingdom. The DA ordered on May 30 a ban on importation of live cattle, meat and meat products, bovine processed animal proteins and semen derived from cattle originating from the UK in response to […]

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Government

TIU LAUREL LIFTS IMPORT BAN ON GOATS FROM US

The Department of Agriculture has lifted the temporary ban on the importation of live goats from the US. Previously, a ban was imposed in June after Coxiella burnetti, the bacteria that causes Q fever, were detected in goats imported from the US.  The Bureau of Animal Industry culled more than five dozen goats infected with […]