Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday urged the House of Representatives to approve in full the agency’s proposed P176.7 billion budget for 2026.
Tiu Laurel said before the House Committee on Appropriations the proposed budget would cover long-overdue investments in food production. He said the agriculture sector, despite being the “backbone” of the economy, has suffered from “chronic neglect.”
“Our farmers and fisherfolk remain among the most vulnerable in our society,” he said. “Despite their unmatched effort, many still harvest hope more than profit, and many cast their nets with uncertainty rather than security.”
Tiu Laurel said about 10 million agricultural and fisheries workers, roughly one in five nationwide, live in poverty due to limited access to technology, markets, and financing.
The department’s 2026 budget proposal seeks to raise productivity through investments in irrigation, quality seeds, fertilizer and science-based practices. It also aims to modernize farm operations with machinery, post-harvest facilities, and digital tools.
The budget also focuses on strengthening value chains by investing in logistics, cold storage and farm-to-market roads, while expanding market access through programs such as Kadiwa ng Pangulo and Rice for All.
It also aims to protect livelihoods with crop insurance, disaster preparedness measures and accessible credit facilities, he said.
Tiu Laurel said the spending plan seeks to increase output and make healthy, affordable food accessible to all Filipinos while ensuring farmers and fisherfolk live with dignity.
“Our goal is not simply to grow more food, but to ensure that every Filipino family has access to healthy, affordable meals. And that those who grow our food can live lives of dignity, not desperation,” he said.
