Senator Kiko Pangilinan on Tuesday defended the proposed ₱184.09 billion budget for the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies during Senate debates on the 2026 national budget.
“Bilang pangunahing institusyon na nangunguna sa pagpapaunlad ng agrikultura at pangisdaan, ang Department of Agriculture ay nagtataguyod ng kasapatan ng pagkain, kaunlarang pang kanayunan, at kapakanan ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda,” he said, emphasizing the DA’s mandate across the entire value chain, from production to market access and trade.
Pangilinan highlighted evidence-based interventions as essential for addressing persistent agricultural challenges and advancing food security.
He detailed initiatives including the inspection of 4,700 farm-to-market road projects and investigations into anomalies similar to past flood-control scams.
A new DA provision, “FMR Watch,” will allow the public to access information on active farm-to-market road projects at the barangay level.
“Transparency is also key so these projects are implemented properly,” Pangilinan said.
He also underscored ongoing support through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, mechanization programs, post-harvest facilities, and infrastructure investments, noting that around 1.2 million farmers benefited from Phase 1 of RCEF.
Pangilinan called for amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law and reiterated the need for a larger DA budget to combat rising food prices, climate impacts, and agricultural smuggling, while ensuring every peso reaches farmers and fisherfolk.