Duterte signs AO removing non-tariff barriers to agri importation

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed the Administrative Order (AO) 13, which removes the non-tariff barriers to agricultural products.  The move was to ease the prices of basic agricultural commodities. President Duterte said that the AO would take effect immediately. Non-tariff barriers include import quotas, import permits, and sanitary permits, among others.  Aside from these, importation

Typhoon Ompong causes PhP14.3 billion worth of damages to agriculture

Typhoon Ompong (international name: Mangkhut) made its landfall in Baggao, Cagayan last September 15, causing heavy rainfall and bringing winds of over 200 km per hour. The typhoon reportedly caused PhP21.3 billion (B) worth of damages to agriculture and public infrastructure, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The amount is

Rice handling and storage losses amount to nearly 900,000 tons/year

According to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country loses almost 900,000 tons of rice every year. The wastage is incurred during handling and storage between the farm and the market. PhilRice Deputy Executive Director Flordeliza Bordey stated during a Senate budget hearing that “the losses were caused by mishandling and poor storage practices.”