Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan’s proposed twin measures to renationalize agricultural extension services and strengthen agricultural cooperatives took a step forward on Wednesday, June 17, as the Senate passed them on second reading.
The measures—Senate Bill No. 1991, or the Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act, and Senate Bill No. 1990, or the Agricultural Cooperatives Act—were tackled during a Senate special session weeks after an impasse in the Senate leadership.
These are intended to bolster the agriculture and fisheries sectors, improve the incomes of farmers and fisherfolk, expand market access, and improve local food production.
“Utang natin itong mga mungkahing batas na ito sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Noong tayo’y nangampanya, ang pangako natin ay tulungan i-angat ang kanilang mga hanapbuhay. Ang pagpasa ng mga mungkahing ito ay katuparan sa mga pangakong iyon,” Pangilinan said.
The senator, who advocated for food security during the 2022 and 2025 campaigns, explained that the renationalization of agricultural extension services and the reestablishment of the Bureau of Agriculture Cooperatives will provide critical government support to the country’s agriculture and fisheries sectors.
Renationalizing the extension services for farmers and fisherfolk means they will have access to technical assistance, training, modern farming practices, veterinary services, pest management, and new technologies down to the municipal level.
At the same time, reestablishing the Bureau of Agriculture Cooperatives would strengthen farmers’ and fisherfolk’s capacity to organize themselves and compete effectively.
As a cooperative, they can buy inputs at lower prices, access credit more easily, invest in equipment and machinery, process their products, and negotiate better prices in the market. These translate into higher and more stable incomes for farmers and fisherfolk.
These measures complement Republic Act 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act, a 2019 law Pangilinan authored and helped pass, allowing national government agencies and local government units to buy directly from accredited farmers’ and fisherfolk cooperatives.
While the Sagip Saka Act addresses the demand side by creating assured markets for agricultural products, Senate Bills No. 1990 and 1991 strengthen the supply side by helping farmers and fisherfolk improve production, access government support services, and build stronger cooperatives.