Dev Flores

The Department of Agriculture plans to impose a ₱50 price cap for imported rice per kilo.

The plan is linked to the surge in oil prices, which affects the shipping costs.

“We are studying the imposition of a price cap on imported rice, possibly P50 per kilo,” according to DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.

The agriculture department explains that due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz, the fuel prices in the global market are continuously going upward.

The hike in fuel costs is gradually affecting the agricultural sector, particularly the increasing cost of fertilizer, freight, and fuel.

When it comes to locally-produced rice, the agency is not considering implementing the same price cap as it may cause a potential collapse in prices during the harvest. DA Sec. Tiu Laurel Jr. has confirmed that the same price cap can be implemented during post-harvest to prevent profiteering.

With reports from Mia Alonzo

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A transport group, Piston plans to file a new petition this March, calling for a ₱5 fare increase amid a continuous rise in fuel products driven by the conflict in the Middle East. This move addresses the income loss of the drivers. 

Drivers could lose over ₱3,000 in their income if the diesel climbs to ₱120 per liter, based on the transport group.

According to Piston National President Mody Floranda, the group will conduct a nationwide transport strike this coming Thursday, March 19, 2026.

“Sa March 19, iguguhit natin sa kasaysayan, sa buong bansa ang pagkilos ng mga driver at ng mga operator, ng mamayan,”  he said

[“On March 19, we will mark in a history, in the entire country, the action of the drivers, operators, and the public.”]

Nearly 100,000 drivers and operators from the group are expected to join the strike.

“Halos nasa 100k tayo sa buong bansa at alam natin na kahit yung mga nag-modern, kahit po yung mga nagk-kooperatiba, yung mga nagc-corporation, alam natin na sila’y lalahok sa darating na transport strike sapagkat sa laki ng nawawala na ring kita dahil sa epekto ng pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo,” he said

[We are nearly 100,000 nationwide and we know that even the modern [jeepneys], the cooperatives, the corporation, we know that they’ll join this coming transport strike linked to huge income loss due to the escalating price of petroleum products.”]

According to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), they understand the concerns of the sector, and clarified that the petition will undergo the standard process once the PISTON formally files the petition.

With reports from JP Nuñez

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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has emphasized that the MRT-3 trains are safe for public use. The statement was issued in response to the claims of Kamanggagawa Party-list Representative Eli San Fernando, together with three employees from MRT-3.

Rep. San Fernando claims in his vlog that the rail transit is unsafe for the commuters.

“Nakatanggap tayo ng nakakabahalang impormasyon na yung MRT ay nagpapatakbo ng mga tren kahit alam naman nila na hindi ‘to safe,” he said

[“We have received alarming information that the MRT is operating trains even if they already know that it’s unsafe.”]

The congressman also confirms with the MRT staff if the four-car train is unsafe because it is not aligned with the proper system, and they agreed.

In a Facebook post, the DOTr strongly disapproves of the claims made by the congressman and the personnel featured in his vlog.

“Ang lahat ng train sets ng MRT-3 ay dumadaan sa masusing technical evaluation, at hinding-hindi papayag ang DOTr at ang maintenance provider na Sumitomo Corporation na makompromiso ang kaligtasan ng mga araw-araw na sumasakay sa tren,” the DOTr said

[“All MRT-3 train sets undergo rigorous technical evaluation, and the DOTr and the maintenance provider, Sumitomo Corporation, will never allow the safety of the commuters to be compromised.”]

In the vlog posted by Rep. San Fernando, a staff member noted that the signaling system for the 4-car train has not yet been built.

However, the DOTr clarified that the signaling system is capable of supporting the 4-car train.

“Ang signaling system ng MRT-3 ay may kakayahang suportahan ang apat na bagon na tumatakbo mula North Avenue hanggang Taft Avenue,” they said

[“The signaling system of MRT-3 can support the 4-car train that runs from the North Avenue to Taft Avenue.”]

Regarding the operation of Dalian trains, DOTC-MRT3A Membership Committee Chairperson Engr. Luis Saman Jr. mentioned that those are not fit for revenue operations.

“Kasi sa Dalian naman talaga, hindi pa pwedeng gamitin for revenue operation yon kasi nga unang-una wala pang complete na training para dyan,” he said

[“The Dalian trains are not yet ready to use for revenue operation because primarily there is no complete training for that.”]

However, the DOTr denied this, stating that Dalian trains undergo the necessary inspections and technical processes before operations.

“Ang mga tren na ito ay dumadaan sa kinakailangang pagsusuri at teknikal na proseso bago payagang gamitin ang operasyon. Patuloy ding nagsasagawa ng mga coordination meeting para matiyak ang kanilang operational readiness at pagsunod sa mga pamantayan sa kaligtasan," according to the DOTr

[“These trains undergo necessary inspections and technical processes before operations. The coordination meetings are continuous to ensure the operational readiness and compliance with community safety standards.”]

Rep. San Fernando also mentioned that he had already submitted a letter to the DOTr to raise the safety concerns last February, but he has not received any response from the agency.

However, according to DOTr, the MRT-3 has responded to Rep. San Fernando, explaining the technical and safety evaluation, proving that the four-car trains are safe for the commuters.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez has announced plans to implement the fare increase for public utility vehicles (PUVs).

The decision is related to the rising prices of fuel products and the petitions of the transport group to prevent financial losses for drivers.

This challenge is directly linked to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

The exact amount for the fare hike is not yet clear, but the agency has assured that it will implement the plan once the necessary process is completed.

A transport group, Pasang Masda is delighted with this decision, as they previously requested it to the authorities.

“Well, kung magtaas-pamasahe ay malaking tulong po ‘yan,” ayon kay Pasang Masda President Obet Martin.

[“Well, if the fare hike is implemented, that would be a big help.”]

MANIBELA Chairman Mar Valbuena stated that the ₱2 provisional fare increase is good enough to recover the financial loss for the drivers who are directly affected by the rising prices of fuel products.

“Pwede namang i-suspend din ng LTFRB kung sakali na bumaba na. ‘Yong dalawang piso po makatuwiran na po ito,” he said

[“The LTFRB can suspend just in case the [oil prices] will eventually drop. A two-peso increase is reasonable.”]

With reports from Asher Cadapan Jr.

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Fuel subsidies for farmers and fisherfolk are ready to be distributed this March, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

A subsidy of ₱3,000 will be distributed to 15,800 fisherfolk, while ₱5,000 will be allocated to 9,700 farmers.

The agency had earlier released the requirements for the farmers and fisherfolk to receive the fuel subsidy. 

Farmers must be registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and should be an owner or renter of agricultural machinery.

For fisherfolk, they must be registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) or Fish-R (Fisheries Registration System) and must have a boat with less than 3 gross tonnage.

The DA will also request an additional 25 million pesos fuel subsidy fund from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) before the current budget runs out.

“Hindi na hihintaying maubos yung 50 kasi nag-utos na yung ating Pangulo na talagang ipamahagi na agad yung mga assistance sa ating mga magsasaka’t mangingisda,” DA Asec. Arnel De Mesa said

[“We will not wait for the 50 million to be depleted because the President has ordered the immediate distribution of assistance to our farmers and fisherfolk.”]

The 10 billion presidential assistance is currently under the agency’s study and evaluation if the Middle East conflict persists.

With reports from Mia Alonzo

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