MANILA, Sept. 15 -- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday urged the House Committee on Appropriations to approve the agency's proposed PHP176.7 billion budget for 2026 without cuts, saying it would boost investment in farmers and fishers while addressing long-standing gaps in the sector.

Speaking during the Department of Agriculture's (DA) budget deliberations, Tiu Laurel emphasized that agricultural support must go beyond food security under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., stressing the importance of raising farmers' income to strengthen local production.

"Our goal is not simply to grow more food, but to ensure that every Filipino family has access to healthy, affordable meals. And that those...