MANILA, April 18 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday it will prioritize the construction of farm infrastructures in 2025 to benefit more farmers and fishers.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said they would propose a budget of around PHP513.81 billion, or more than double its current budget of PHP208.58 billion.

"[The budget proposal] is still a work in progress but clearly shows the direction where we are headed," Laurel said.

In particular, the DA plans to request PHP287.98 billion for its attached corporations, including the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), and t...