Former Senator and senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan visited Lanao del Norte on Saturday, bringing with him a strong commitment to boost Mindanao’s agricultural sector through his Sagip Saka Act.


Pangilinan’s advocacy earned him the support of Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s Northwestern Mindanao Front-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (NWMF-BIAF) Front Commander and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliament member Hon. Abdullah Macapaar, Al-Hajj, also known as Commander Bravo.


Commander Bravo expressed support for Pangilinan’s Senate bid following their meeting at Camp Bilal Ben Rabbah in Barangay Tamparan, Munai, Lanao del Norte, where the former Senator discussed the importance of the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act in uplifting the agricultural sector in the BARMM.


Pangilinan told Commander Bravo that the Sagip Saka Act, which he championed in the Senate as principal author, will help boost the livelihood of local farmers, ensure food security, and maximize the region’s vast agricultural potential.


The law, which he championed in the Senate as principal author, allows the national and local governments to directly purchase agricultural products without public bidding.


The former senator also committed to increasing the budget for agriculture to further boost productivity and improve the lives of farming communities, especially in Mindanao.


As part of his visit to Lanao del Norte, Pangilinan was given a tour of the Bangsamoro Peace Center located in Barangay Tamparan.