The Senate Committee on Agriculture has initiated an investigation into allegations that corrupt traders are posing as legitimate agricultural cooperatives to exploit the benefits provided under the Sagip Saka Law.
The probe aims to uncover how these unscrupulous entities reportedly acquired fraudulent certifications to bypass standard regulatory protocols and gain access to direct government procurement privileges.
Committee chairperson Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan revealed that lawmakers are scrutinizing reports involving organizations registered under the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Information System (FFEDIS).
These groups are allegedly being utilized as fronts to secure lucrative negotiated procurement contracts—incentives strictly intended to support genuine agricultural associations.
“Isa itong seryosong paglabag sa Republic Act No. 11321,” Pangilinan remarked regarding the reported abuse.
In coordination with the Department of Agriculture and various regulatory agencies, the legislative panel is working to determine the full extent of the fraudulent scheme.
A formal inquiry has been scheduled for July 16, triggered by the filing of Senate Resolution 9, which seeks a comprehensive evaluation of how the Sagip Saka Law is being enforced.
Aside from checking the authenticity of registered cooperatives, the committee will also investigate claims that imported rice is being deceptively repackaged as locally harvested grain to satisfy government procurement criteria. The upcoming hearing will focus on introducing tighter security measures and more stringent verification protocols to prevent public funds from being diverted to deceptive traders.
Pangilinan emphasized that safeguarding the integrity of the law is vital to protecting local food producers, especially amid escalating environmental challenges.
“Ang Sagip Saka Law ay para sa mga tunay na nagtatanim, umaani, at pumapalaot,” he said.
The senator stressed that it is deeply unjust for Filipino farmers and fisherfolk—who are currently bracing for the impacts of upcoming typhoons—to suffer further due to corrupt practices that rob them of the livelihood assistance they rightfully deserve.