MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. urged lawmakers to approve in full the Department of Agriculture’s proposed ₱176.7-billion budget for 2026, calling it a “critical investment” in the country’s future and long-overdue support for farmers and fisherfolk.

Speaking before the House Committee on Appropriations, Tiu Laurel said the sector continues to suffer from decades of neglect despite being the backbone of the Philippine economy.

“The truth is plain to see: 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. Many cast their nets with uncertainty rather than security.”

He noted that about 10 million agricultural and fisheries workers—or one in every five workers—remain in poverty due to limited access to technology, markets, and financing.

The proposed budget, Tiu Laurel said, focuses on five pillars:

• boosting productivity through irrigation, quality seeds, fertilizer, and science-based practices;
• modernizing operations via machinery, post-harvest facilities, and digital tools;
• strengthening value chains through logistics, cold storage, and farm-to-market roads;
• expanding market access with programs such as Kadiwa ng Pangulo and Rice for All; and
• protecting livelihoods through crop insurance, disaster preparedness, and accessible credit.

“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.

Tiu Laurel closed his appeal by urging Congress to help build a future where farming and fishing are no longer tied to hardship.

“Let’s build a future where the child of a farmer no longer dreams of leaving the farm—but of improving it,” he said.