News & Opinion Archives - Food Security

Nov82023 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

The Laws and Legalities of Cockfighting in the Philippines

News & Opinion

When it comes to sports, Filipinos cannot live without basketball and of course, cockfighting. Although the latter is more of gambling than sport, many people are also involved in breeding gamefowls as both recreation and business. But the big question that is asked by many people, especially foreigners, “Is cockfighting legal in the Philippines?” We will discuss the answer in this article. Cockfighting in the Philippines is both legal and illegal depending on where the game is held and to what level. The “Cockfighting Law of 1974” under former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, regulates the game in the whole country and since then it has never been amended. The following is clearly stated: NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, under the powers ve...

Nov82023 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

Legal Action Taken Against Onion Price Manipulation in the Philippines

News & Opinion

In a significant development, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Wednesday that charges have been filed against six individuals, including three officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA), for their alleged involvement in manipulating onion prices in the Philippines. This move is a crucial step towards addressing the issues of hoarding, falsification, and profiteering that have impacted the country’s onion market. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) spearheaded the efforts to bring these individuals to justice. Charges have been filed against the officials of the Bonena Multipurpose Cooperative (Bonena), namely Israel Reguyal, Mary Ann Dela Rosa, and Victor de la Rosa Jimenez. These charges revolve around allegations of hoarding, falsification of document...

Nov82023 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

DA’s Call to Action: Cultivate Drought-Tolerant Crops During El Niño

News & Opinion

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is keeping a vigilant eye on the impending El Niño phenomenon and is advising farmers to prepare for its anticipated start in November, which is expected to last until the first quarter of 2024. This proactivity is essential because El Niño, characterized by low to zero rainfall and higher temperatures than usual, can wreak havoc on the agricultural sector, resulting in crop withering and water shortages due to increased evaporation. To mitigate these potential consequences, the DA is encouraging farmers to adopt various strategies that will help them withstand the challenges posed by El Niño. Aida Pagtan, the Chief of the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Service (RAFIS), is playing a pivotal role in disseminating this crucial informa...

Nov82023 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

From Local Gem to Global Fame: Bago City’s Agroecological Recognition

News & Opinion

The City of Bago, nestled in the heart of Negros Occidental, Philippines, has once again captured international attention for its remarkable commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly tourism. On a Monday night in Tallinn, Estonia (which was Tuesday morning back in the Philippines), the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories for 2023 were unveiled, and to the delight of many, Bago City secured a place on this prestigious list. This marks the second time that Bago City has been included in the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories. The initial recognition came in 2022 when the Green Destinations Foundation, based in The Netherlands, acknowledged the city’s remarkable efforts in promoting responsible and eco-conscious tourism. However, this year, Bago City’s dedication to sustainable practices, ...

Nov82023 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

Plant-Based Meat Substitutes: A Promising Pathway to Enhance Food Security

News & Opinion

The Marcos administration faces a significant decision concerning the future of food security in the Philippines. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has unveiled a plan to increase domestic meat production by a staggering 500 percent before the current administration’s term comes to a close. However, Roberto Galang, the dean of Ateneo de Manila’s John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM), believes that there is an alternative path to ensuring food security while addressing some pressing environmental concerns. In an interview, he passionately argued for the cultivation of the plant-based meat substitute industry as a part of a broader strategy for enhancing food security. Galang’s perspective is not merely based on conjecture but on a well-founded understanding of both economic an...

Nov82023 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

Calabarzon Farmers Receive DA Support to Satisfy Christmas Pork Demand

News & Opinion

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued a compelling call to hog raisers in the Calabarzon region to persevere and continue raising pigs despite the persistent threat of African swine fever (ASF). This initiative aims to ensure an ample supply of pork during the extended Christmas season in the Philippines. Dr. Jerome Cuasay, the focal person for the livestock program, underlines the importance of supporting hog raisers and livestock production, emphasizing that the DA is ready to offer assistance through the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) of the Livestock Program. The assistance provided by the DA encompasses a variety of measures designed to bolster the hog-raising sector. These measures include the establishment of state-of...

Nov82023 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

Hagonoy, Davao del Sur: The Rising Star in the Philippines’ Poultry Industry

News & Opinion

HAGONOY, Davao del Sur – Hagonoy Mayor Jesus Dureza Jr. radiates optimism as he envisions his town becoming a prominent player in the poultry industry, projecting that it will emerge as the top chicken producer in the Philippines by the following year. This ambitious vision was fueled by a momentous event – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presiding over the inauguration of the World-Class Controlled-Climate Magnolia Poultry Farm, marking the completion of the first of 12 colossal poultry megafarm projects set to redefine the poultry landscape across the nation. Mayor Dureza enthusiastically stated, “Once it is fully operational by next year, Hagonoy will be the biggest producer of chicken in the entire Philippines.” His enthusiasm stems from the realization of a substantial project initi...

Nov62023 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

Negros Oriental Welcomes Harvest Season, Expecting Reduced Rice Prices

News & Opinion

DUMAGUETE CITY - As the harvest season kicks off in Negros Oriental, the local Department of Agriculture (DA) office anticipates a further decrease in retail rice prices. Alejandro Rafal, the provincial officer of the DA-Provincial Agriculture Technology Coordinating Office (PATCO), expressed this outlook during a recent conversation with the Philippine News Agency (PNA). He explained that although Negros Oriental isn't self-sufficient in rice production, the commencement of the harvest season holds the potential to reduce the cost of this dietary staple, even after the recent lifting of the price cap mandated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through Executive Order 39. Mr. Rafal believes that this potential reduction in rice prices could help stabilize the supply of rice in the pr...

Nov62023 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

India’s Generous Grain Gesture: 295,000 MT of Non-Basmati Rice Bound for the Philippines

News & Opinion

Manila - In a significant development, India has decided to export a substantial quantity of non-basmati white rice to the Philippines, marking the highest allocation of rice exports to a foreign nation after the removal of export restrictions. This move comes after a notable shift in India's export policy, driven by the need to stabilize domestic rice prices. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry in India issued a notification on October 18, signaling the opening of rice exports to several countries, including the Philippines. This decision is a testament to the growing bilateral relationship between the two nations and highlights the positive impact of the request made at the leadership level. The Indian Embassy in Manila expressed its immense pleasure in making this significan...

Nov62023 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

Davao Durian Growers Plan Expansion to Meet Rising Demand

News & Opinion

MANILA – The Durian Industry Association of Davao City (DIADC) is embarking on an ambitious endeavor to expand durian farming operations in response to the burgeoning demand in the Chinese market. This decision to tap into the vast Chinese market for durian represents a significant opportunity for both the agricultural sector and the local economy. In an interview with China Media Group Serbisyo Filipino on October 17, DIADC President Emmanuel Belviz articulated their plans for future expansion. Belviz underscored the importance of continuous export efforts and the thriving market for durian in China as key factors motivating their expansion strategy. "So hopefully, due to our continuous exports and market growth in China, we plan in the future to expand more durian farms, and t...