In the Agriculture Fisheries 2025 (AF2025) Conference in February 2011, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), a think tank connected to the National Economic Development Authority, received 23 road maps from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), but not one from the DA. Unlike foreign importers, farmers and fisherfolk do not have the option to choose a department which will give them their needed support services. But just as importers required quality, so do agriculture stakeholders. While most DTI bureaus have ISO 9000, very few DA bureaus have such a system. It is noteworthy that in the first semester of this year, the DTI annual budget of P4 billion has resulted in a 5.8-percent industry growth rate, while the DA budget of P88 billion has resulted in only 0.3 percent growth.

Ordoñez, E. M. (2015, Setember 30). For farmers, 'Tuwid na daan' not enough. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. B2-3.