According to Secretary Tiu Laurel, the cyber libel case he filed sends a clear message: The Department of Agriculture (DA) will no longer tolerate misinformation that damages: Product prices Consumer confidence The image of farmers and fishers Government agricultural programs On social media, false information spreads quickly, such as: Claims of rice or sugar shortages Rumors about banning or confiscating livestock like pigs or chickens Fake price reports that alarm buyers and traders When these posts circulate, farmers and fishers are often the most affected. Here are some real impacts of misinformation on the agriculture sector: 1. Falling Farmgate Prices When false claims spread about oversupply or poor product quality, farmgate prices can drop—even if the information isn’t true. 2. Panic Buying and Market Price Spikes Fake news about shortages (rice, sugar, onions, pork) can trigger panic buying: Market prices surge Farmers don’t benefit fairly Mi...
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. expressed strong disappointment on Thursday regarding recent remarks made by Vice President Sara Duterte questioning the quality of rice distributed by the National Food Authority (NFA), which is planned to be sold at P20 per kilo. Secretary Laurel, who also chairs the NFA Council, underscored the department's dedication and commitment to delivering quality rice to Filipino families, emphasizing the impact of the Vice President's remarks on the morale of farmers and agricultural workers nationwide. "With all due respect to the Vice President, the Department of Agriculture (DA) family is deeply hurt by her suggestion that NFA rice is ‘hindi pang tao, pang hayop,’" Laurel stated, highlighting the unintended negative impact these comments have on the perception of local agricultural products. He reinforced that the rice distribution initiative is critical to fulfilling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s campaign promise...