The Situation Report
The Situation Report Page 13 of 14
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…
Philippines keeps Tier 1 anti-trafficking status for 10th straight year
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Saturday that the Philippines has maintained its Tier 1 standard in the fight against human trafficking for the past ten years, as the agency continues to confront the growing challenge of online crimes—particularly the sexual abuse and exploitation of…
DOJ Action Center serves over 65,000 Filipinos in three years as demand for free legal help surges
The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Action Center has served more than 65,000 Filipinos in roughly three years, with demand for free legal assistance growing sharply each year as more ordinary citizens discover that the justice system has a door they can walk through without a lawyer or a fee.…
How the DOJ under the Marcos Jr. administration is overhauling the PH corrections system
For years, the Philippine corrections system was synonymous with overcrowding, poor food, paper records that went missing, and persons deprived of liberty who waited far too long for releases they were legally entitled to, a system that punished people not just with imprisonment but with…
DOJ’s war on online child sexual exploitation surges nearly ten-fold under Marcos Jr. administration
The Department of Justice (DOJ) conducted nearly ten times more operations against online sexual abuse or exploitation of children or OSAEC under the Marcos Jr. administration than in the three years prior, rescuing almost 1,000 victim-survivors and filing hundreds of cases in court as part of its…
Alice Guo’s conviction is DOJ’s most high-profile anti-trafficking win
The Department of Justice (DOJ) cited the conviction of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo on qualified human trafficking charges as its most high-profile anti-trafficking victory under the Marcos Jr. administration, saying the case sends an unmistakable message that public office offers no…
Plea bargaining surges as DOJ’s tougher evidence standard leaves accused with fewer options
The number of accused entering plea bargains with Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors is rising, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said Saturday, a direct consequence of the DOJ’s tougher evidentiary standard that has made it significantly harder for the defense to fight cases once they reach…
DOJ brings free legal help to the regions through regional ‘Katarungan Offices’
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has established eight Regional Katarungan Offices across the country offering free legal assistance, referrals, mediation, and coordination with prosecutors, bringing the agency’s services within reach of ordinary Filipinos who previously saw the DOJ as distant…