Day: August 14, 2025

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is optimistic that farmgate prices of palay (unhusked rice) will rebound in the coming wet harvest season, while also working to address changing consumer preferences for rice quality. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Thursday that they started seeing recoveries in some areas in Luzon. According to Philippines News Agency, prices in Nueva Ecija have already improved to PHP14 per kilogram for wet palay, up from lows during the dry season. “Latest namin, nag-recover na ang Nueva Ecija at PHP14 na wet (The Nueva Ecija started to recover at PHP14 per kg.

Pasay city: The United States’ conduct of freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) near the Bajo de Masinloc has supported Manila in its efforts to promote international law in the area, said US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson. Two US warships-USS Higgins (DDG-76) and USS Cincinnati (LCS 20)-conducted FONOPs approximately 102 nautical miles from Zambales on Wednesday, following an incident where two Chinese vessels collided while attempting to chase away BRP Suluan near the feature, also known as the Scarborough Shoal. According to Philippines News Agency, Carlson emphasized the importance of these operations, stating that they demonstrate that the United