The Department of Agriculture (DA) expressed gratitude to senators for crossing party lines to approve its P184.1-billion budget for 2026, strengthening efforts to boost food security and accelerate rural development.

Senators, during plenary debates Tuesday night, also signaled openness to increasing allocations for the DA during the upcoming bicameral conference committee.

The 2026 spending plan funds programs to raise production efficiency, widen market access, and modernize the agricultural value chain—initiatives Tiu Laurel said will “plant the seeds to restore the role of the agriculture sector as a meaningful contributor to economic growth, job generation, and an investment-worthy venture.”

Agriculture currently accounts for around 8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, yet provides one job for every five Filipino workers, underscoring its central role in rural livelihoods despite its relatively small share of the economy.

Senators vowed to find ways to add funding for high-value crop development and more farm-to-market roads, citing their potential to raise productivity, lower costs, and improve rural incomes.

Tiu Laurel said the Senate’s backing paves the way for a “more resilient and more future-ready” agriculture sector in 2026. ### (Photos by Jay Morales, OSEC Comms)