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, the Philippines’ primary grain supplier, through April 2027, with pricing set at $450 per metric ton for the widely traded DT8 rice variety. “Securing import volumes until next April is crucial amid geopolitical uncertainties and climate risks,” Tiu Laurel said, a...
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...