The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday welcomed the House of Representatives’ approval of its proposed P216.1 billion budget for 2026.
The amount is P39.4 billion more than the agency’s previous allocation of P176.7 billion.
The increase stems from a major realignment ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who diverted over P250 billion from controversial flood control projects toward agriculture, education, and social welfare.
‘This increased budget brings us closer to President Marcos’s vision of a food-secure Philippines-where agriculture is modern and investment-worthy, and farming is a viable, profitable venture,’ said Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.
The budget hike, endorsed during plenary debates on Monday, will fund farm-to-market roads, cold storage facilities, and solar-powered irrigation systems, among other flagship projects.
A portion will also support coconut replanting, expanded crop insurance, fish port upgrades, farm-to-mill roads in sugar-producing areas, and modern post-harvest facilities.
Pampanga Representative Anna York Bondoc, who defended the DA budget, said the increase reflects the government’s recognition of agriculture as a key economic driver, employing one in every five Filipinos and contributing 10 percent to the country’s gross domestic product.
‘These additional funds are a powerful testament of our recognition that our investment in agriculture is an investment into our shared future,’ said Bondoc.
‘It means direct support for hardworking farmers, better technology for our fisherfolk, and a more stable and resilient food supply for every Filipino family,’ she added.