Agri bills for food security pushed

Senator Francis Pangilinan on Thursday urged fellow lawmakers to pass his twin agricultural reform bills to strengthen food security as disruptions in the Middle East continue to threaten global supply chains.

The proposed Agricultural and Fisheries Cooperatives Act and Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act build on Pangilinan’s 2019 Sagip Saka Act, which enables government agencies and local units to buy directly from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.

A former presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernization, Pangilinan highlighted the need to boost local production and reduce dependence on imports. The bills cover the entire agricultural value chain—including inputs, production, processing, logistics, marketing, credit, education, agri-tourism, digital agriculture, and climate-resilient safety nets.

“Sabi nga po nila (They say), to secure our food, we must first secure our farmers and fisherfolks, and 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 (to secure their expertise, we need to organize and strengthen our farmers and fisherfolk, protect their resources, and practice the Bayanihan spirit known to Filipinos),” he said.

Under the cooperatives bill, agricultural and fisheries cooperatives would receive tax incentives and preferential support from banks and financial institutions, allowing them to achieve economies of scale and secure negotiated government contracts under the Sagip Saka Act.

The extension bill seeks to renationalize agricultural extension services, deploying workers at the municipal level to close gaps in program delivery and ensure timely aid distribution.

Pangilinan described the measures as long-term investments in expanding the country’s food supply chain, emphasizing the importance of training in climate-smart agriculture, technology adoption, and insurance for farmers and fisherfolk.