Welcoming the year 2025, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. lauded employees and the Department’s successful performance in 2024 despite the slew of environmental and market challenges.

However, even as he congratulated his DA family for a job well done, Secretary Tiu Laurel emphasized that with the additional powers granted by Congress, the full support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the expected improvement in weather conditions, and the learnings from 2024, there are “no excuses” for the DA not to do better this year.

“Ngayong alam na natin ang gagawin natin until 2028, we are now going for growth and productivity. Katatapos lamang ng 2024, mahirap man, pero nalampasan natin ang mga epekto ng El Niño at La Niña. Patuloy rin nating ginagawan ng solusyon ang mataas na presyo ng bigas at mga sakit sa hayop gaya ng African Swine Fever at Avian Influenza. Ang mga aral sa nakaraang taon ang magsisilbing gabay natin upang mas mahusay nating harapin ang hamon ng bagong taon,” said the agri chief as he rallied his DA family during Monday’s flag ceremony.

“Naniniwala ako na kakayanin nating lahat na gampanan ang tungkulin na naiatas sa atin. Sama-sama, wala akong duda na matutupad natin ang pangako ng isang Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas,” the Secretary assured. ### (Krystelle Ymari A. Vergara, DA-AFID)