The Senate hearings on agricultural smuggling and the continuing rise in food prices will resume, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said on Wednesday, June 17, underscoring the urgent need to protect farmers, fisherfolk, and consumers from the effects of illegal trade and market manipulation.
Despite weeks of leadership deadlock in the Senate, the veteran lawmaker has conducted fieldwork and meetings with stakeholders to identify the factors driving persistently high food prices despite government interventions.
He also aimed to determine accountability for the continued entry of smuggled agricultural products into the country, including tons of onions that were recently abandoned at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
“Patuloy na nagugutom ang madaming pamilyang Pilipino, habang ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda ay patuloy naman na hinaharap ang hindi patas na sistema at kalakaran,” he said.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa bagong liderato ng Senado at ngayon, panahon na para bumalik tayo sa trabaho at solusyunan ang mga problemang hinaharap ng sektor ng agrikultura at pangingisda,” he added.
Pangilinan was restored as chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform on June 3.
In the past year, as chair of the Senate panel, the lawmaker examined the implementation of existing anti-smuggling laws, the effectiveness of border control and customs enforcement, and the impact of smuggled agricultural products on local food production and prices.
His committee was also responsible for detaining several people involved in the agricultural smuggling trade after they provided conflicting statements during committee inquiries.
Aside from continuing to run after unscrupulous individuals and syndicates, Pangilinan vowed to enact laws and policies to stabilize food prices and strengthen the country’s agriculture and fisheries sectors.
He called on government agencies, industry stakeholders, farmer groups, consumer advocates, and law enforcement officials to participate in the proceedings.
Details regarding the schedule of the hearings and invited resource persons will be announced in the coming days.