President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved ₱300 million in additional funding for the Philippine ube industry for 2027, as the Department of Agriculture (DA) sets its sights on making the Philippines the world’s top ube producer, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday.
Tiu Laurel made the announcement in an interview on DZRH News program Special on Saturday on July 18, as part of the DZRH SONA 2026 Series.
“I’d like to announce nga na the President has just approved additional funding for the ube industry at the tune of about 300 million pesos for 2027,” Tiu Laurel said.
He said the funds will be used to create nurseries to propagate more ube planting materials for farming communities.
The DA will also release a color chart to help farmers identify which shade of purple ube meets international market standards.
Tiu Laurel said international buyers prefer a darker shade of purple.
Undersecretary Asis Perez added that ube has a low glycemic index of 22 to 23—making it ideal for diabetics.
“Mababa ang glycemic index kasi ng ube. Ibig sabihin magaling sa diabetic, maganda sa nutrition,” Perez said.
Tiu Laurel said the premium market potential for ube is significant—noting it can command strong prices internationally.
He said the DA’s goal is to make the Philippines the number one ube producer and exporter in the world.
