Liam Demafelix
Reporting from the TSR newsroom.
Taco Bell to stop using lettuce identified with ‘explosive diarrhea’ outbreak
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday that Taco Bell, owned by Yum Brands will stop using lettuce from a supplier the agency has linked to an ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak. The FDA’s statement came a few hours after Taco Bell said it had removed “potentially impacted lettuce”…
NFA now buys freshly harvested wet palay, freeing farmers from traders’ grip
The National Food Authority (NFA) can now buy freshly harvested or wet palay for the first time, freeing farmers from having to sell cheaply to traders when they need to move their grain quickly after harvest, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said Saturday. Lacson made the disclosure in an interview…
DA builds mega food hubs across PH where only farmers can sell, no traders allowed
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is building five to six mega food hubs across the Philippines—each spanning 30 to 40 hectares—where only farmers, not traders, can sell directly to consumers, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday. Tiu Laurel made the disclosure in an…
DA chief eyes heirloom rice comeback in international markets
Philippine heirloom rice—prized varieties grown in the highland communities of Banaue and Ilocos—is set to return to international markets next year, with Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel saying the premium grain can command as much as 20 euros per kilo abroad. Tiu Laurel made the…
Marcos gave DA chief three orders on Day 1—here’s how they fared years later
When Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel took office under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in November 2023, he received three clear directives—clean up the department, implement ₱20-per-kilo rice, and help farmers earn. Years later, Tiu Laurel says there have been wins—but also…
UN agency upgrades PH food system from ‘laggard’ to ‘performer’ in 2025 assessment
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) has upgraded the Philippines’ food system rating from “laggard” to “performer” in its 2025 assessment, citing improved logistics and reduced post-harvest losses, a senior DA official said Saturday. DA…
Marcos approves ₱300M budget for ube industry as DA eyes world No. 1 status
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.…
DA opens first-ever Export Office as PH mangoes now sold in Italy, France, Canada
The Department of Agriculture has established a dedicated Export Office for the first time in its history, with Philippine mangoes now being sold in Italy, France, and Canada as a result, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday. Tiu Laurel made the disclosure in an…
Agriculture budget doubled under Marcos, NFA funded for infrastructure first time since 1985
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…
Kadiwa centers surge from 170 to 800, with DA targeting 1,500 nationwide
The number of Kadiwa centers nationwide has grown from 140 to 170 sites to 800 fully operational locations, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday. Tiu Laurel made the disclosure in an interview on DZRH News program Special on Saturday on July 18, as part of the DZRH SONA…
Government stops importing rice for first time as private sector now sole rice importer: DA
The Philippine government has stopped importing rice entirely, leaving the private sector as the sole rice importer under the Rice Tariffication Law, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday. Tiu Laurel made the statement in an interview on DZRH News program Special on…
Marcos administration seizes most agricultural smuggling haul in history: DA chief
The Marcos administration has recorded the highest value of seized agricultural smuggling in Philippine history, 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…
Median age in PH increased to 27.7 years, indicating the country’s aging population: PSA
The median age of Filipinos continues to rise, indicating that the country’s population is gradually aging. Based on the 2024 Census of Population released by the Philippine Statistics Authority, the median age increased from 24.3 years in 2015 to 25.3 years in 2020, and further to 27.7 years in…
UN agency warns cost of a healthy diet has spiked 25 percent since 2021
The cost of a healthy diet has increased 25 percent in the past five years, putting it out of reach for one-third of the global population, according to figures released Wednesday by the United Nations. The increased cost of food makes a healthy diet require an average of $4.28 purchase power…
Plastic on the plate: Ateneo study finds microplastics contaminating salt, sugar, rice, and fish sauce
From land to sea and back to the dining table, plastic pollution has made its way into the Filipino kitchen. A study by researchers from Ateneo de Manila University, published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology, found that microplastics—tiny plastic fragments measuring between 1…