MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) welcomed the House of Representatives’ approval of its proposed ₱216.1 billion budget for 2026, up ₱39.4 billion from its original ₱176.7 billion allocation.

The increase is intended to strengthen agricultural infrastructure, expand crop insurance, and support productivity programs, particularly for high-impact commodities such as coconut.

Pampanga Rep. Anna York Bondoc, who defended the budget during plenary debates, said the higher allocation reflects the government’s recognition of agriculture as a vital economic pillar, employing nearly one in every five Filipinos and contributing about 10 percent to 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,” Bondoc said. “It means direct support for hardworking farmers, better technology for our fisherfolk, and a more stable and resilient food supply for every Filipino family.”

The budget boost is part of a broader realignment ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who redirected more than ₱250 billion from controversial flood control projects toward agriculture, education, and social welfare.

Of the ₱39.4 billion increase, ₱22.5 billion will go to the DA’s Office of the Secretary for flagship programs such as farm-to-market roads, cold storage facilities, and solar-powered irrigation systems. The remaining ₱16.9 billion will support coconut replanting, enhanced crop insurance, fish port upgrades, farm-to-mill roads for sugar areas, and modern post-harvest facilities.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. thanked lawmakers, saying: “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.”