Armed with Executive Order No. 101, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan went to Naga City, Camarines Sur for a renewed and strengthened push for the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act, which allows the direct purchase of agricultural products by the government from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.
EO 101 was signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. last year, ordering the national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and other government instrumentalities to purchase products for their feeding programs directly from farmers and fisherfolk.
The law not only provides direct market access to farmers and fisherfolk, but it also boosts rural development and strengthens national food security.
On Thursday, January 22, Pangilinan—who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform—found himself in Naga City, where he placed second during the 2025 senatorial elections.
Here, the senator said he plans to discuss with the local government—particularly former vice president and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo—about the implementation of the Sagip Saka Act, as well as pinpoint challenges faced by agriculture cooperatives in accessing extension services by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
“Kaya rin tayo narito para isulong ng husto itong full implementation ng Sagip Saka Act. I also want and I will also be calling on ang DILG kasi andiyan na yung executive order, dala-dala ko nga ngayon,” he said during a radio interview in Naga.
Thanking Nagueños for their overwhelming support during last year’s midterm polls, Pangilinan likewise shared that the meeting with his former running-mate aims to identify the needs of the province in implementing the law and for its other agricultural programs and projects.
“Of course, we’re also meeting Mayor Leni Robredo, ang ating partner noong 2022. Again also to discuss ano ang maaaring maitulong ng Committee on Agriculture para sa mga advocacies ni Mayor Leni and other projects nya,” he stated.
“We want Mayor Leni to succeed and bilang partner niya and ka-tandem, hindi maaaring hindi natin siya bisitahin at alamin ano pa ang maaari nating maitulong sa Naga sa kanyang pagiging Mayor para maisulong ang mga programa nya,” the senator added.
In his visit to Naga, Pangilinan also met with Camarines Sur-based farmers’ cooperatives to discuss their issues with the law’s implementation, as well as the importance of the renationalization of the DA’s extension services and the strengthening of farmers’ associations and organizations.
The senator also plans to visit more LGUs as he works to push for the nationwide implementation of the Sagip Saka Act, in fulfillment of his promise to uplift the lives of farmers and fisherfolk and ensure food security and bring down food prices in the market.