Othel V. Campos

6 days ago | manilastandard.net | Othel V. Campos

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) teamed up with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for Kadiwa sa Kanlurang Karagatan (KKK) to support municipal fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea, starting with a pilot deployment in Zambales province. BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera announced during a joint briefing with the Coast Guard that the program aimed to make it easier for Filipino fishers to sell their fresh catch without the logistical burdens of transporting it to fish ports.

6 days ago | manilastandard.net | Othel V. Campos

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday led the inspection of two container vans carrying 34 metric tons of smuggled white onions from China valued at around P4.1 million. Laboratory tests conducted by the Bureau of Plant Industry’s Plant (BPI) Products Safety Services Division and the National Plant Quarantine Services Division showed the onions were contaminated with heavy metals and salmonella, the DA said in a statement.

6 days ago | manilastandard.net | Othel V. Campos

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) recently launched a series of workshops to update its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (DRRMP) and align it with the national disaster framework. The two-day workshop, facilitated by the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), marks SRA as the first government-owned and controlled corporation to begin work on a five-year disaster preparedness plan.

1 week ago | manilastandard.net | Othel V. Campos

The Makati Business Club (MBC) flagged economic challenges ahead, including the impact of the planned 17-percent percent US tariff on Philippine products, after the country’s gross domestic product expanded 5.4 percent in the first quarter of 2025. “We are concerned about the possible effects of the 17-percent tariff imposed by the government of the United States to the Philippines, especially for skilled Filipino workers employed in export sectors.

1 week ago | manilastandard.net | Othel V. Campos

Agriculture officials are calling for the restoration of key regulatory powers to the National Food Authority (NFA), saying the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) curtailed the agency’s ability to stabilize rice prices and ensure supply, particularly during emergencies. Under the RTL, which was amended earlier this year, the NFA lost its authority to import rice and sell it directly to the public, functions that previously allowed it to manage buffer stocks and temper market volatility.