THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it ordered the creation of a technical working group (TWG) to study a more data-driven approach to importing rice in a manner that will managing supply and prices effectively while protecting farmer interests.

In a statement on Monday, the DA said it is working to finalize rice import policies by May to lay the groundwork for a more structured scheme of rice importing in 2026.

The DA said the TWG will be tasked with making recommendations on volume, timing, and distribution of rice imports, guided by data on regional supply levels and inventory.

According to the DA, the TWG will be composed of representatives from the DA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development, Food Terminal, Inc., the Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement, and the Philippine Rice Importers Association.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. was quoted in the statement as saying that the TWG deliver policy recommendations within weeks.

The DA said the group is also expected to study mechanisms to ensure that imports do not disrupt the harvest or depress farmgate prices.

“Initial import volumes for May will remain ‘simple,’ but more complex mechanisms — such as linking import participation to purchases from local farmers — are firmly on the table for later in the year, potentially after the wet season,” the DA said.

The da said it will also impose stricter reporting requirements for rice inventories, noting that only a limited number of registered warehouses are currently compliant.

Traders and warehouse operators that fail to submit inventory data could lose their eligibility to import rice, the DA said.

“By aligning import timing with verified market needs and enforcing compliance across traders and millers, the DA aims to curb speculative behavior that distorts prices at the farm gate. For consumers, the payoff is steadier supply and fewer price spikes,” the DA said. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it adopted a roadmap to guide the development of a carbon-credits market for forestry projects.

In a statement, the DENR said Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla signed a Department Administrative Order (DAO) formally adopting the framework known as “Roadmap to Readiness in the Voluntary Forest Carbon Market (2026-2030).”

The market will allow trading in carbon credits generated by forestry projects to offset their greenhouse gas emissions.

The DENR said the roadmap provides a national strategic framework to position the Philippines as a high-integrity destination for forest carbon investments.

“It aims to unlock the economic value of the country’s carbon sinks while ensuring that forest protection and restoration initiatives support the nation’s climate goals under its Nationally Determined Contributions and promote sustainable livelihoods for local communities,” the DENR said.

According to the DENR, the plan harmonizes rules governing forest assets and develops data analytics and digital infrastructure, including a National Forest Monitoring System and a Forest Carbon Credit Database, to ensure environmental integrity and prevent double counting.

Under the DAO, the Forest Management Bureau was designated the lead agency for terrestrial forest carbon initiatives, while the Biodiversity Management Bureau will oversee blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrass beds.

“In consultation with the Department of Finance, the department will explore sustainable financing mechanisms, including a potential Trust Fund to reinvest carbon revenues directly into forest management and protection,” the DENR added. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

FARMERS in Calbayog City are receiving training on modern abaca production techniques, fiber grading, and disease management, part of a program to revive the Samar abaca industry.

In a statement, the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) said farmers are expected to emerge with skills in planting material management, disease identification and control, fiber extraction, and quality classification.

PhilFIDA said the training sessions will help boost the production of high-quality fiber and enhance market competitiveness, en route to reviving the island’s abaca industry.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that abaca production in Samar has declined over the past decade, dropping from 1,807 metric tons (MT) in 2010 to about 940 MT in 2024.

The province’s share of national abaca production  also declined from 2.72% in 2010 to 1.45% in 2024.

Last week, participants attended a two-day training session organized by the government of Calbayog, with resource support from PhilFIDA.

The program included hands-on field activities, such as disease identification and a visit to the city’s regular abaca nursery in Barangay Gabay.

“PhilFIDA remains committed to empowering abaca farmers through continuous skills development and technology transfer,” it said. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel