By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – More farmers are set to benefit as the Department of Agriculture (DA) granted PHP41 million worth of investment to boost the agricultural sector in Batangas.
In a news release on Monday, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said this agricultural assistance will boost the agricultural economy by supporting rice, corn, high-value crops, coconut, mechanization, and urban agriculture.
“The package of interventions amounts to PHP40.95 million and covers programs supporting rice, corn, high-value crops, urban and peri-urban agriculture, farm mechanization, coconut production, and irrigation development,” he said.
A key part of the multi-million investment is the Solar-Powered Irrigation System, implemented through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, amounting to PHP29.8 million.
This project is seen to provide a longer-term dimension to the government’s support package.
The SPIS seeks to help farmers manage production more efficiently by providing a more reliable water source.
The solar-powered irrigation system also aims to reduce farmers’ reliance on conventional power sources for operations.
In terms of assistance, the rice program received the largest bulk of allocation, accounting for PHP6.2 million.
About PHP1.2 million is earmarked for the corn program; PHP545,000 for the High Value Crops Development Program; and PHP62,500 for the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program.
The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, meanwhile, provided PHP2.1 million in assistance, while the Philippine Coconut Authority extended PHP1.1 million to coconut farmers. (PNA)
AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. leads the awarding of various agricultural support to farmer-beneficiaries in Barangay Looc, Nasugbu, Batangas on Friday (Oct. 9, 2026). Tiu Laurel on Monday (Oct. 12) said the agency has provided PHP41 million worth of agricultural support and solar-powered irrigation systems to farmer beneficiaries in Batangas. (Photo courtesy of DA)
