Renewing his call for innovation in farming, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan emphasized the importance of product development and training in his keynote speech at the Bulacan Food Fair and Exposition (Buffex 2025), themed “Lasa’t Sarap: Empowering Local Flavors, Elevating Local Brands,” held in Malolos, Bulacan.
Speaking before Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Senator highlighted how Bulacan remains a major driver of the Philippine economy, noting that the province contributes almost 15% to the country’s agri-fishery sector, fueling value-adding and processing in the industry. He added that Bulacan’s GDP in 2023 exceeded ₱600 million—proof that every bite of food represents not just nourishment and flavor, but also added income and more jobs across the value chain.
Drawing from his own experience as a farmer-CEO, Pangilinan shared how his income grew when he shifted from selling raw harvests to creating packaged products and food baskets. “Let us keep innovating, let us continue to look at value-adding product development,” he urged.
On August 13, 2025, Pangilinan filed Senate Bill No. 1183, or the Agricultural Cooperatives Act of 2025, which supports sustainable agricultural practices and training for farmers. Under Section 30 (Sustainability and Innovation), the Bureau is mandated to allocate funding for the development and implementation of sustainable farming methods. Meanwhile, Section 31 (Mentorship and Training) requires capacity- and capability-building programs for members of agricultural cooperatives.
The Senator reaffirmed that legislation is only part of the solution, stressing that the real key to higher revenues lies in innovation and collective action.
“Sama-sama nating pagtulungan na mai-angat ang ekonomiya ng agriculture, fisheries, agri-manufacturing, processing, and product development,” he said.
He emphasized that his office remains open to farmers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders, assuring them of his full support.
“My office is your office,” Pangilinan affirmed.