₱200 Billion Agri Budget Approved; Increase Considered

The respective budgets for the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for 2025 have successfully passed plenary deliberations at the House of Representatives, with several lawmakers pledging to increase funding allocations to boost farm production and enhance farm incomes.

For 2025, the DA is set to receive a budget of P200.19 billion, reflecting a 19.5% increase from this year's National Expenditure Program (NEP). I Photo: Department of Agriculture Philippines

For 2025, the DA is set to receive a budget of P200.19 billion, reflecting a 19.5% increase from this year's National Expenditure Program (NEP). The NIA’s proposed budget stands at P42.57 billion, slightly higher than last year's NEP of P41.7 billion.

In his sponsorship speech, Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco underscored the critical role of agriculture in providing food for every Filipino, driving economic growth, and creating more jobs.

"However, I am also acutely aware of the challenges that confront our farmers, from low farm productivity and competitiveness to high production costs, bad weather, and the onslaught of pests and diseases," said Rep. Tiangco.

"What we envision today, therefore, is a modernized, sustainable, and climate-resilient agricultural sector that prioritizes food security, access to safe and quality food for consumers, and economic prosperity for all Filipinos," he added.

Rep. Tiangco noted that farmers and fishermen have always battled weather, pests, diseases, and the hardships of poverty.

"As servants of the people, our message to them today, and in all the days to come, is this: The government is willing and able to fight alongside them and fully support them," he said.

Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, who co-sponsored the budgets for both agencies, acknowledged that even with the increase in the NEP allocation, the outlays aren’t sufficient to cover agriculture's needs, given the lack of significant investments over the last three decades and the growing food requirements of the country.

She emphasized that funds allocated for agriculture are an “investment in the future of our country.”

She also mentioned that additional funding could be secured during the bicameral conference committee discussions to finalize the General Appropriations Act. "Agriculture is a priority of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.," she said.

Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado emphasized the necessity of modernizing Philippine agriculture. “We really need to increase the budgetary allocation for the Department of Agriculture. How can you expect to modernize agriculture with this budget?” he asked.

Rep. Bordado said improving the lives of millions who depend on the farm sector and reducing reliance on food imports are imperative for a food-secure nation.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. welcomed the pledges of support for additional funding. “Any additional budget that we can secure from Congress will allow the DA to step up efforts to ensure food security, modernize agriculture, and improve the lives of millions of farmers, fishermen, and their families,” the DA chief said.