Senator Kiko Pangilinan on Wednesday called on the Senate to expedite the passage of key agriculture measures, warning that escalating tensions in the Middle East could disrupt global supply chains and drive food prices higher in the Philippines.
In sponsorship speeches, Pangilinan pushed for Senate Bill No. 1990 (Agricultural Cooperatives Act) and Senate Bill No. 1991 (Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act), which aim to strengthen cooperatives and overhaul extension services to reduce dependence on food imports.
“Sabi nga po nila, ‘to secure our food, we must first secure our farmers and fisherfolks,’ at para ma-secure ang kanilang kagalingan at kahusayan, kailangan nating ma-organisa at mapalakas ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda, lalo na ang kanilang kabuhayan at sa bayanihan na natural lamang na dumadaloy sa ating dugong Pilipino,” Pangilinan said.
He explained that SB 1990 would reinforce the supply chain—from production and processing to logistics and marketing—while providing tax incentives and better financing access for cooperatives.
The measure complements the Sagip Saka Act, which allows government agencies to directly procure produce from farmers and fisherfolk.
Pangilinan also advocated for the “renationalization” of agricultural extension services, citing governance gaps and the need to deploy more workers at the municipal level to improve training and support.
He stressed that building local capacity in climate-smart farming, technology, and insurance would help insulate the country from external shocks.
“In the end… when I was food security secretary in 2014 and 2015, the country was importing $10 billion worth of agriculture products. Today, 10 years later, we are importing double… It is not right,” he said.
The senator underscored the urgency of addressing long-standing structural problems in the sector.
“We have to correct… the broken system of agriculture systems in the country. Mahirap pa rin ang ating mga magsasaka. Baon pa sa mga utang. Puro import pa ang nangyayari sa ating pagkain,” Pangilinan said.
“Kaya these twin measures… that will re-structure the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries… I believe is the way forward.”