Aqua-Agriculture Industry: The Industry that Continues to Grow the Filipino Livelihood

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With Philippines as an island with land mass perfect for the agriculture industry, it is not surprising that it has played a huge role in aquaculture and agricultural production in the world.

Philippines has previously ranked as 10th and 11th in capture fisheries and aquaculture respectively. The country is also a huge exporter of agricultural product, accounting to an average contribution of 20 percent in Philippines’ GDP

With a favorable climate and vast lands and coastal areas, it is no surprise that 40% of Filipino workers are part of the agriculture sector while the fisheries sector accounts for about 5% of the labor force in the country.

Government initiatives along with the help of private sectors have been a big part of improving the local industries especially in supporting the livelihood to continue the efforts to improve and reinvigorate the industries.

Dept. Undersec. Panganiban mentions “With the current issues of food insecurity in the country, fostering innovative and sustainable urban farming methods with the help of private sectors is a solution to improve food accessibility. The private sector serves as the extending arms of the DA in reaching new heights for the implementation of the program through sustainable and environment-friendly innovations.”

Initiative such as financial assistance, technical training, and infrastructure development for aquaculture farmers have been supported by the government as part of the efforts to improve the industry. Expositions such as MAFBEX also help in supporting the livelihood of farmers and fishermen in the country as it highlights the local and regional products.

This year, the Department of Agriculture, DTI MIMAROPA, and BFAR will be participating in MAFBEX to showcase local and regional products from different regions of the Philippines. As parts of the effort to improve local livelihood and businesses, local goods are in the limelight at the BFAR pavilion, Department of Agriculture pavilion, and the DTI MIMAROPA pavilion.

Some of the local products you can get at MAFBEX from these pavilions, such as fresh and organic produce, organic sauces and condiments, organic snacks, and more!

Explore new flavors and find new local favorites at MAFBEX this year on June 14 to 18 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila!

You can register here at www.mafbex.com

Children’s mural advocating for the safety and protection of children and other vulnerable road users unveiled

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Students of Gueco Balibago Elementary School in Angeles, Pampanga pose in front of a mural advocating children’s safety on the road.


Angeles City Government joined United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines, Department of Education (DepEd), the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), and public interest law group ImagineLaw at Gueco Balibago Elementary School (GBES) in Angeles City, Pampanga on Monday to unveil a children’s mural advocating for the safety and protection of children and other vulnerable road users.


“This mural is our commitment to road safety and protecting children and all those who use the roads of the city,” said Kiko Pangilinan, head of Angeles City Traffic Development Office.


The mural carried the banner ‘Safe roads save children’s lives’ and celebrated Angeles City’s enactment of a comprehensive Road Safety Code early this year that invests 50 million pesos in road safety programs that include heightened enforcement and training, protected bike lanes, and speed guns, among others.


“We are also working with fellow government agencies, the academe, and organizations from the private sector and civil society to introduce interventions for safe school zones,” Pangilinan also said.


Road safety advocacy group ImagineLaw and UNICEF Philippines lauded Angeles City’s road safety initiatives. “Angeles City serves as a good example to other local government units (LGUs). We admire the political will of this city in protecting children and other vulnerable road users,” said Atty. Daphne Marcelo, road safety project manager of ImagineLaw. “Playing outside or going to school should not be a life-or-death situation for children,” she added.


“UNICEF believes that every child should survive and thrive in a healthy and safe environment. When we protect them against preventable road crashes, we provide them safe journeys to school and help them reach their full potential,” said Dr. Angelito Umali, program focal for the child road traffic injury prevention program of UNICEF Philippines.


Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), which supports road safety programs in the city, also participated in the event and committed to continue working with LGUs like Angeles City in ensuring the protection of children from road crashes.


The United Nations recently celebrated the Week of Action on Road Safety to mobilize broader commitments to road safety, with focus on sustainable transport and safe mobility.

PHLPost marks 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood with Postage Stamps

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Even during these difficult times, postage stamps continue to be the source of inspiration, courage and patriotism among Filipinos.

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) will issue stamps on June 12, 2023, in support of the commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood.

PHLPost has been at the forefront in the protection, preservation and conservation of history and culture through the issuance of postage stamps that have been widely recognized here and abroad.

“ As we commemorate the sacrifices and triumphs of our forebears, In the face of adversity, our people at PHLPost will rise from the ashes and become resilient and strong”, said Postmaster General Luis D. Carlos.

The historic Manila Central Post Office Building was recently destroyed by fire leaving its documents and equipment burned to the ground.

“We are saddened by this unfortunate incident, but we are lucky to have salvaged some important stamps. We are now in the process of retrieving valuable and historic items placed in our stamp vault which were left unharmed during the fire”, he said.

On June 12, 2023, the country marked 125 years since Philippine Independence was proclaimed in Kawit, Cavite. This year’s Independence Day carries the theme:, “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan at Kasaysayan.” (Freedom, Future and History.)

This stamp issuance intends to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the birth of the Philippine Flag. The se-tenant pair features two important moments in our history: The Sewing of the Philippine Flag by Marcela and Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina Herbosa Natividad in Hong Kong, and when Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine Independence with the very same flag proudly raised at the Aguinaldo residence (now the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine) during the Declaration of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite, on June 12, 1898. The official logo for the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood appears on the official first day cover.

The beauty, uniqueness and special significance of commemorative stamps, continue to be a source of fascination and of great value to collectors.

PHLPost has printed 40,000 copies sold at P16 each of the two different designs of the stamps. PHLPost in-house graphic artist Israel Viyo layout the historic stamps.

Stamps and official first-day covers are now available near the 4th Floor of SM City Manila Postal Counter located at Conception Street Corner San Marcelino or visit https://www.facebook.com/PilipinasPhilately/ for updates.