Philippines plans 17 new ports to boost agricultural supply chain

MANILA -- The Philippines is planning to build 17 new deep-water ports to bolster its supply chains for rice and other agricultural products as well as items such as fertilizer, as it fights to keep a lid on food prices.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Tuesday at a business forum in Manila that the Southeast Asian nation has a 27-year backlog in agricultural infrastructure investment, adding that the port expansion plan would help revamp the sector.