The Department of Agriculture (DA) marked its 127th founding anniversary by reaffirming its commitment to food security, productivity, and affordable rice.

Speaking before DA officials and employees on 23 June, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the agency is eyeing record-breaking harvests this year, including a potential all-time high in sugar production and palay yield – provided the country is spared from typhoons.

He also reiterated the DA’s push to roll out the P20 rice program, which aims to make the staple more accessible to Filipino families.

“Coordination and cooperation must continue – not only within the DA but also with other government agencies – so that we can achieve our goals,” Tiu Laurel said, emphasizing the need for unified action across sectors.

“It is important that we do not forget our farmers, fishers, and hog raisers – their needs must be addressed as soon as possible,” he added.

The celebration carried the theme “Kaisa ng Magsasaka’t Mangingisda Tungo sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas,” underscoring the agency’s role in uplifting agricultural communities and modernizing the sector in line with the administration’s long-term vision.

As part of the anniversary, the DA honored 101 loyalty awardees through its Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE), recognizing staff who have rendered continuous service for at least 10 years, and in five-year increments thereafter.

“Today, allow me to thank you for all the days when, despite being tired, you still chose to show up. For the countless hours of overtime, and for the smiles that, though worn, remain sincere,” Tiu Laurel told DA personnel during the awarding ceremony held at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management Convention Hall.

He also acknowledged the contributions of DA officials and staff across the country, citing their continued dedication throughout his nearly two-year tenure.

“We continue to stand united under the leadership of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., and through our collective efforts, we will achieve a prosperous, modern, and resilient agriculture sector,” he said.

To highlight its grassroots engagement, the DA opened a photo and product exhibit featuring staff in traditional Filipiniana attire and showcasing regional goods made by DA employees themselves. Secretary Tiu Laurel led the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside other DA executives.

The celebration also featured a week-long one-stop-shop setup within the DA compound, where various bureaus and attached agencies offered frontline services directly to the public from 23 to 27 June.