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Josiah Antonio - The Philippine Star
February 7, 2026 | 12:00am
Individuals buy vegetables at a market in Baguio City on July 23, 2025.
STAR / Andy Zapata Jr.
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is allocating P300 million this year to expand climate-resilient farming for high-value vegetables such as tomatoes, chili and bell peppers.
The move aims to curb recurring price spikes triggered by weather-related supply disruptions, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said yesterday.
According to him, the funds will support the establishment of basic greenhouses, drip irrigation systems and water-impounding facilities to improve crop management and reduce farmers’ exposure to increasingly volatile weather conditions.
Tomatoes, chili and bell peppers are among the crops that experience sharp price swings almost every year as extreme heat, heavy rains and flooding disrupt production, he noted.
‘White Revolution’
Aside from expanding climate-resilient vegetable farming, the department also aims to protect and boost crops through a program referred to as the “White Revolution.”
The program is modeled after protected cultivation systems in South Korea and Cambodia.
Under the initiative, the DA will deploy rain shelters and simplified greenhouse structures that provide partial protection from harsh weather while remaining financially viable for farmers.
According to the agency, these facilities protect crops from heavy rainfall, reduce flood risks and pest damage, and enable more efficient water use through drip irrigation and misting systems, making them easier to replicate across farming communities.
The rain shelters, greenhouses and irrigation systems will be established near major consumption centers such as Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao to shorten delivery time and reduce post-harvest losses.
For the Metro Manila market, the DA is eyeing nearby provinces including Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna, Rizal and Quezon.
