Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. underscores the department’s commitment to grow the agricultural sector, ensure food security and foster sustainable economic development during the ‘Up Close & Personal’ networking and business forum organized and hosted by World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM). Tiu Laurel says the DA is collaborating closely with the private sector to address the 27-year backlog in agricultural investment. The four-year plan involves investing in more irrigation facilities, establishing water-impounding systems, developing deep-water agricultural ports, creating a robust cold storage network and other relevant programs.