MANILA, April 21 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said it has revived the inter-agency Livestock Data Analytics Group (LDAG) to help protect both producers and consumers amid "market volatility and supply fluctuations."

In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the LDAG's function will be crucial for data-driven planning, forecasting, and creation of policies under DA Special Order (SO) 599, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directives to ensure food security, accessibility, and affordability.

"We need up-to-date data on market trends and behavior to ensure that the policies we formulate and the actions we take safeguard and promote the growth of the industry, even as we protect consumers,"...