Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan had worn many hats in his life—most notably, he was a lecturer on civil, political law, and labor law for seven years before throwing his hat into the Senate ring in 2001 and serving in various capacities in government.
It is that background and him being the son of a teacher that instilled in the senator his deep love for knowledge, often highlighting the importance of education for the Filipino youth to achieve their dreams.
In a recent visit to the Puguis Elementary School in Benguet province, Pangilinan urged young learners—kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 levels—to study well and pursue their dreams of becoming doctors, nurses, police, soldiers, and teachers, among others.
“So, ang importante na tandaan ninyo yung gusto maging doktor, yung gusto maging nurse, yung gusto maging sundalo, yung gusto maging pulis, kailangan mag aaral ng mabuti,” he said. “Sino gusto maging senador? Kailangan mag aral ng mabuti.”
The senator, much to the delight of the young schoolchildren, shared that he has made it his commitment to personally bring his own children to school when he can.
“Alam ninyo—meron akong apat na anak—tatlong babae, isang lalaki. At pagka pumapasok sila sa eskwelahan—Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3—hinahatid ko, dahil importante ang pag aaral,” he recalled.
During his visit, the senator brought with him school supplies from private sector partners like National Bookstore and vowed to continue supporting such initiatives for young schoolchildren.
“Lahat yan dahil nais natin na kayo ay makapag aral ng mabuti. Dahil kapag nagaaral ng mabuti, darating ang araw magiging doktor, magiging pulis, magiging nurse, magiging bumbero,” Pangilinan said.
The senator, who heads the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, filed Senate Bill No. 219–or the Libreng Almusal Act—as his priority measure to provide free breakfast meals for kindergarten to senior high school students in public schools nationwide.
The proposed measure also aligns with Pangilinan’s Sagip Saka Act as Libreng Almusal Act— once passed—will require a portion of the program’s budget to be allocated for direct purchases from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.
The first hearing for the Libreng Almusal measure is set on Sept. 11.