Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan is pushing anew for the passage of his twin agricultural reform measures—the renationalization of agricultural extension services and the reestablishment of the Bureau of Agriculture Cooperatives—to achieve lasting food security and make food affordable for every Filipino family.
The seasoned lawmaker said that Senate Bill No. 1991, or the Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act, and Senate Bill No. 1990, or the Agricultural Cooperatives Act, will not only empower farmers and fisherfolk but also improve farm productivity and ensure a more efficient food supply chain.
The twin bills were passed by the Senate on second reading.
“Kung gusto natin makamit ang food security, kailangan natin magsimula sa mga sakahan at palaisdaan. If we want affordable, fresh, and nutritious food on our tables, we must empower our farmers and fisherfolk. Sa kanilang hanay magmumula ang mas maganda at mas maraming produksyon ng pagkain na magpapababa ng presyo ng bilihin,” he said.
Under Pangilinan’s proposed Agricultural Extension Services Act, farmers, fisherfolk, and agricultural stakeholders will gain improved access to science-based farming technologies, climate-resilient production techniques, research, training, and technical assistance.
The measure also seeks to strengthen coordination among national government agencies, state universities and colleges, local government units, and the private sector to ensure that modern agricultural innovations and financial and technical assistance reach farming communities.
Access to extension services will improve yields, reduce production costs, adapt to climate change, and produce more food sustainably.
Complementing this initiative is the proposed measure to strengthen agricultural cooperatives, which will enhance farmers’ and fisherfolk’s access to financing, post-harvest facilities, processing equipment, storage, transportation, and markets.
He noted that organized and well-supported cooperatives give farmers greater bargaining power, reduce dependence on middlemen, and enable members to benefit from economies of scale.
“Ang solusyon sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin ay nakaangkla sa suportang ibinibigay natin sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Hindi puwede na patuloy tayong umasa sa mga imported na produkto,” Pangilinan said.
“It is in our best interest that we build a productive, competitive, and resilient food system. Passing these twin measures—the agricultural extension services and the reestablishment of the Bureau of Agricultural Cooperatives—is an investment in our country’s food security,” he added.
The senator, who has been working closely with the Department of Agriculture, is hopeful that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will endorse the twin bills as priority measures of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).