A screenshot of Executive Order no.116 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that mandating to increase the MAV of Pork Imports. The Philippine government has issued Executive Order No. 116, increasing the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) for pork imports in an effort to address supply shortages, reduce rising food prices, and help stabilize inflation in the country. Signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on May 19, 2026, the order raises the MAV for pork from 54,210 metric tons to 204,210 metric tons for MAV Year 2026. Why the Government Increased Pork Imports According to the Executive Order, the continued spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) has significantly reduced the country’s swine population. This shortage has resulted in higher pork prices in markets nationwide, placing additional pressure on Filipino consumers already de...

A screenshot of the Landbank website showing an announcement of the new InstaPay fee. Landbank transfer fees via InstaPay using Mobile Banking and iAccess were cut from ₱15 to ₱8 to make their digital services more affordable and accessible to clients. The updated InstaPay fee is effective May 21, 2026, for users who use the Mobile Banking App and iAccess. Landbank also offered 1 free InstaPay transfer daily for amounts of ₱1,000.00 and below. The cut in transfer fees aligns with the response of Landbank to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to expand access to affordable financial services. “LANDBANK remains committed to advancing financial inclusion by making digital banking more affordable and accessible. By lowering transaction fees, we are enabling more Filipinos to use secure and convenient digital channels for t...

An assumption of 500,000 coconuts consumed daily to support the target exportation of coconut milk. PhilCo Food Processing Inc., an affiliate of Thai World Group, is expected to open a P1-billion coconut processing plant in Misamis Oriental. The 5.5-hectare facility is expected to open this July, according to a report by philstar.com . The company will produce coconut milk that will export to Thailand, the United States, and Europe, which may need about 500,000 coconuts as estimated for daily consumption to support the exportation. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said that the firm can provide 1,500 jobs to the locals. The Thai firm will help the country become a hub for coconut processing in the global value chain. It will also help coconut farmers have more valuable produce as the demand for coconuts may increase.

A sample digital Digital Senior Citizen ID A report released by Philstar.com on May 20, 2026, stated that the National Commission of Senior Citizens is encouraging government agencies, banks, financial institutions, and private businesses to fully recognize the digital National Senior Citizens ID (NSCID) as a legitimate form of identification for elderly Filipinos. The commission emphasized that senior citizens using the digital ID must continue to receive all privileges guaranteed under the law, including the 20% discount, exemption from value-added tax (VAT), and other benefits intended for older citizens. According to the NCSC, establishments and offices should improve awareness regarding the acceptance of the digital NSCID to avoid inconvenience among senior citizens. The agency also pointed out that failure to ho...

Philippines, Vietnam Seal Major Rice Deal to Bolster Food Security Amid Inflation Pressures The Philippines and Vietnam have locked in a one-year rice supply agreement covering 1.5 million metric tons, as the two countries used the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit to deepen an agricultural partnership seen as critical to stabilizing domestic food prices amid rising inflation and geopolitical uncertainty. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met Thursday with newly appointed Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on the margins of the summit in Cebu, where the leaders also marked the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations and discussed ways to expand trade, tourism and broader economic cooperation. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the agreement guarantees uninterrupted rice deliveries from Vietnam, th...

Source: DA-BFAR FB PAGE | PAFFP is a vital initiative designed to provide direct financial support to marginalized fisherfolk across the Philippines. The Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP) is a vital initiative designed to provide direct financial support to marginalized fisherfolk across the Philippines. This program, sourced from and implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), aims to mitigate the economic challenges faced by those in the fishing industry due to external factors. Here is a comprehensive FAQ based on the official guidelines to help fisherfolk understand and avail of this assistance. ​What is the PAFFP? ​The Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP) is a substantial cash assista...

Source: CNN BUSINESS | Jeffrey Cesari meet 73-year old farmers from bohol who could help him buy ube for his ube latte mix. The latest dispatch from the frontlines of the global food scene reveals a curious paradox: while the vibrant purple hue of ube is colonizing our Instagram feeds and Starbucks menus, the actual root vegetable remains one of the most elusive commodities on the planet. As reported by CNN Business , the journey of entrepreneur Jeffrey Cesari—from a Turkish cafe to the remote farms of Bohol—exposes a supply chain that is as "secretive" as it is fragile. Ube is no longer just a beloved staple of Filipino heritage; it is being positioned as the "new matcha." But as the world develops an appetite for this violet yam, we are forced to confront the growing pains of a niche crop hitting...

A recent phishing campaign is targeting users with a deceptive "modified email" notification designed to mimic an official letter from Maya PH. The email, titled "Maya | Email changed on Maya App - #KAK2Z2," is sent from noreply@socialgen.com.au via Amazon Simple Email Service (Amazon SES).  Users received this email on April 20, 2026, at approximately 9:00 AM PST. ​ ​This email is particularly alarming for users who have their actual email addresses linked to the Maya App. The sense of urgency may cause recipients to panic and click the malicious link provided in the message, which directs them to a sophisticated phishing website. ​ ​If you receive this message, please be aware that it is a fake notification. Scammers use these tactics to trick users into visiting fraudulent websites to steal their login credentials. ​How to Stay Safe ​To protect yourself, keep the following points in mind: A.)  ​Check the Sender -  Official email notifications from Maya Bank are s...

Source: Manila Bulletin | PhilSA and NIA have launched a strategic partnership to modernize nationwide water irrigation. A new partnership between the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is set to modernize how the country manages its water resources. By integrating satellite imagery and space-based data into agricultural infrastructure, the two agencies aim to enhance the efficiency of irrigation systems nationwide. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was formalized by PhilSA Director General Gay Jane Perez and NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen. This strategic alliance focuses on leveraging cutting-edge space technology to optimize the planning, construction, and long-term supervision of irrigation networks. By moving toward a more digitized approach, the NIA expects to...