The Department of Agriculture’s budget has doubled from approximately ₱100 billion under the previous administration to ₱200 billion under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday.
Tiu Laurel made the statement in an interview on DZRH News program Special on Saturday on July 18, as part of the DZRH SONA 2026 Series.
He said the DA is targeting ₱250 billion before the end of the Marcos administration.
“From what I recall, noong last administration, mga 100 billion ang budget lang. Talagang ang laking ginawa ng ating Pangulo na dinagdagan ang budget to double, nasa 200 billion ang budget ngayon,” Tiu Laurel said.
NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said NFA received infrastructure funding for the first time since 1985.
“Since 1985 nga, hindi po tayo binibigyan for infrastructure development,” Lacson said.
NFA received ₱5 billion in 2024 and ₱5.363 billion in 2025 for warehouses, dryers, and milling facilities.
These funds allowed the NFA to build 36 new facilities and repair 128 warehouses nationwide.
The NFA also received ₱9 billion to buy palay and an additional ₱2.176 billion for direct expenses.
Lacson said the budget has helped NFA serve farmers better, with a record 72,000 farmers served in 2025—a figure expected to double or triple once all facilities are complete.
