Stressing Mindanao’s critical role in the country’s food supply, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said on Wednesday, June 17, that the rehabilitation and recovery of Mindanao after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that shook the region must be a “strategic national priority.”
The lawmaker co-sponsored Proposed Senate Resolution 447, introduced by Senator Joel Villanueva, to provide adequate funding for relief efforts in Mindanao following the earthquake.
“In times of calamity, the Senate must speak as one. I commend Senator Joel Villanueva for his quick thinking and his swift leadership on this resolution, which reflects the Senate’s shared duty to help Mindanao recover, rebuild, and prosper,” he said.
“Strategic national priority ang mabilis at tuloy-tuloy na pagbangon ng Mindanao mula sa lindol noong Hunyo 8,” he added.
The senator, who has championed rural development and the improvement of the lives of farmers and fisherfolk for more than a decade, recognized Mindanao’s role as the country’s “food basket,” where 40% of the food supply is being sourced and 30% of national food trade comes from.
In addition to supporting Villanueva’s proposed resolution, Pangilinan is also urging the passage of his proposed Senate Bill No. 2259, which will provide supplemental funding of P15 billion under the 2026 national budget.
The additional funding will aim to rehabilitate and reconstruct public services, public infrastructure, and facilities, as well as provide aid to farmers, fisherfolk, laborers, and small businesses.
“Sa pagsuporta sa P.S. Resolution Number 447 ni Senator Joel at sa ating Senate Bill 2259, pinagtitibay ng Senado na nasa interes ng buong Pilipinas ang pagbangon ng Mindanao,” the senator and chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform said.
“Dahil pagprotekta ito sa ating sistema ng pagkain, pangangalaga sa mga trabaho, at pagpapatatag o pagpapabagsak ng presyo ng mga bilihin,” he added.