Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has successfully persuaded key government officials and local executives to stop purchasing imported rice and instead prioritize locally produced grains.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page on Thursday, October 9, Pangilinan revealed that he met with several top officials, including House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella, and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National President and Quirino Governor Dax Cua, among others.
Pangilinan expressed his gratitude to the officials for supporting his long-standing call to champion the country’s own rice farmers.
“Sa ating pangunguna, nagkaisa ang mga key government officials at local chief executives na itigil na ang pagbili ng gobyerno ng imported rice,” he wrote.
He went on to thank his fellow officials for their cooperation and commitment to the initiative, naming several of them in his post.
Pangilinan emphasized that government agencies should source rice and produce directly from local farmers.
“Dapat lokal na bigas at lokal na ani mula sa ating mga magsasaka ang pangunahing binibili ng national government agencies, GOCCs, at LGUs,” the senator said.
He explained that such a move would ensure that the billions of pesos in the government’s food procurement budget directly benefit farmers and fisherfolk, in line with the principles of the Sagip Saka Act.
“Sa ganitong paraan, masisiguro nating direktang napapakinabangan ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda ang bilyon-bilyong pisong budget sa food procurement ng gobyerno, ayon sa ating Sagip Saka Act,” Pangilinan added.
According to the senator, the ultimate goal is to strengthen the country’s agriculture sector—improving farmers’ livelihoods while making food more affordable for all Filipinos.
“Walang kulay ang gutom. Patuloy tayong magtulungan para sa mas maunlad na agrikultura, mas mataas na kita ng ating mga magsasaka, at mas abot-kayang pagkain para sa lahat,” he concluded.