More than P4 billion was allocated to food security programs in 2025, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said in a statement.
It said the allocation includes P3.298 billion for inspection, border control and other regulatory services, P1.197 billion for integrated laboratories and P85.219 million for food testing support.
The announcement was made in conjunction with the Food Safety Awareness Week jointly organized by the DA and the Department of Health, which focused on deploying scientific measures to ensure food safety.
Under Secretary and Chief of Staff Alvin John F. Balagbag said at the inauguration ceremony that the DA Inspectorate and Enforcement Office conducted 124 inspection and condemnation activities, seizing P1.18 billion worth of unsafe and unregulated agro-fishery products.
In 2026, the DA is proposing a P4.37 billion budget for such programs to upgrade laboratories and the food-safety regulatory system.
The DA has also reactivated its Food Safety Focal Group to harmonize safety standards across agencies and is finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for joint inspection of agricultural shipments to curb smuggling.
FDA Director General Paolo S. Teston, who also serves as alternate chair of the Food Safety Regulation Coordinating Board, said the agency will soon launch a Food Safety Contact Center to address public concerns about food handling, processing and distribution.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.6 million people around the world are exposed to contaminated food every day. The organization has recorded 200 illnesses caused by unsafe food.
