Philippines' DA initiates multi-year budget planning for agriculture

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced a new plan for budget management aimed at addressing agricultural challenges in the country. This multi-year budget planning process will use specific criteria to evaluate the department's programs and projects. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. explained that the plan is part of a larger strategy to achieve better results for various agricultural initiatives. The goal is to ensure that each budget peso supports long-term objectives like reducing poverty, improving farmer welfare, and promoting sustainable economic growth. One significant change is the introduction of standardized criteria to assess the impact of programs on key areas such as poverty reduction and nutrition improvement. The evaluation will also consider cost efficiency and the capability of implementing agencies, according to Laurel. He highlighted the importance of moving away from traditional methods. The DA aims to challenge existing practices to achieve agricultural progress. The department's four-year framework, named “Para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas,” will guide this new planning approach in alignment with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s goal to cut the poverty rate significantly by 2028. Laurel believes that these new criteria will enhance how resources are allocated and help measure progress toward national development goals. A key focus will be strengthening the agriculture and fisheries sectors to support farmers and rural communities. Through this initiative, the DA plans to make investments more effective, ensuring food security and enhancing the lives of farmers and fisherfolk. The department is committed to building a resilient agricultural economy for future generations.