Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan urged young legislators to assume a more proactive role in implementing the Sagip Saka Act and promoting substantive, people-centered governance reforms.
During the national convention of the National Movement of Young Legislators, where he serves as founding president, Senator Pangilinan emphasized the critical roles of young legislators in nation-building, rural development, and food security.
He challenged the attendees to implement the Sagip Saka Act, a law he authored and sponsored, which allows national agencies and local government units (LGUs) to purchase food directly from accredited farmers’ and fisherfolk’s cooperatives without the need for public bidding.
“Dito na kayo papasok, mga kabataang mambabatas: national blueprint of young legislators. Inumpisahan na natin ang organisasyong ito 35 years ago bilang isang kilusan ng mga batang mambabatas at naniniwala sa bagong pulitika, sa mabuting pamumuno na nakabatay sa prinsipyo, plataporma at pagpapatupad. Hindi patronage. Hindi palakasan. Hindi padrino,” Pangilinan said.
“Malaki na ang NMYL. Malawak ang sakop. Meron na rin napatunayan kaya kung meron pwedeng pumosisyon para paganahin ang Sagip Saka sa ground at pagandahin ang kita ng ating magsasaka at mangingisda, kayo yun,” he added.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, the senator shared a success story from the Sagip Saka Act. The CamSur Multipurpose Cooperative increased its direct sales from P7 million in 2019 to P62 million after the law was implemented.
By 2026, the cooperative reportedly reached nearly P300 million in total direct sales through contracts with government agencies, including the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and various LGUs.
He encouraged legislators to fully implement the law, which aims to improve the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk by increasing their incomes and expanding market access. He also urged them to promote good governance throughout its implementation.
“Ikaw na batang mambabatas, you stand in a unique intersection of power and possibility. Nakatayo sa isang katanging-tanging sangangdaan ng kapangyarihan at posibilidad,” he said.
“Yan ang pinaglaban natin noong tinatag natin ang NMYL noong ako’y konsehal ng Quezon City 35 years ago — Good governance,” Pangilinan added.