Fresh off his successful Senate comeback, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Thursday, 03 July 2025, filed 10 priority legislative measures in the 20th Congress—delivering on his promise to fight hunger, uplift the agricultural sector, and ensure food security for all Filipinos.

“Sa ating pagbabalik sa Senado, katulad ng ating mga nakaraang termino kung saan isinakatuparan natin ang ating mga pangako sa taumbayan, atin pong pinag-aralan, binusisi, at nakipag-dayalogo sa iba’t ibang sektor upang ihain ang una nating 10 priority legislative measures,” Pangilinan said.

“Ang ating naging pangako ay ‘walang kulay ang gutom,’ kaya yan ang ating magiging sandigan at saligan ngayong tayo’y inihalal at muling pinagkatiwalaan ng taumbayan,” he added.

Central to his legislative thrust is the expansion of his landmark Sagip Saka Act (RA 11321), which allows national and local governments to buy directly from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding. Pangilinan also seeks to institutionalize a “Libreng Almusal” program in all public schools to ensure every child begins their day with a healthy meal—while also supporting local food producers.

Beyond food programs, the senator’s proposed measures tackle transparency in public spending, the creation of dedicated departments for water and fisheries, environmental protection, and urban agriculture.


PANGILINAN’S 10 PRIORITY BILLS FOR THE 20TH CONGRESS:

1. Free Breakfast Program and Sustainable Agriculture Act

Provides free, nutritious breakfast for students in public daycare centers and to all Kinder to Grade 12 students in public schools. At least 50% of the ingredients will be sourced directly from local farmers and fisherfolk through the Sagip Saka Act.

2. Agricultural Land Conversion Ban

Prohibits the conversion of irrigated and irrigable agricultural lands to residential, industrial, or commercial uses to safeguard food production capacity.

3. Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) Act

Establishes a department solely focused on managing the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources and increasing the sector’s access to government support and funding.

4. Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act

Mandates the construction of critical post-harvest infrastructure such as warehouses, rice mills, and cold storage facilities to reduce losses and boost farmer and fisherfolk incomes.

5. Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming Act

Institutionalizes urban farming in highly urbanized areas to combat food insecurity, improve urban greening, and make productive use of idle government land, including those in SUCs.

6.National Mangrove and Forest Protection Act

Provides for the conservation, reforestation, and sustainable management of mangrove forests. It establishes Local Councils for the Preservation of Mangrove Forests to implement environmental programs.

7. Department of Water Resources Act

Creates a dedicated government agency to oversee water-related concerns—flooding, dam operations, irrigation, and clean water access—under a unified national plan.

8. Resolution to Investigate the High Prices of Food

Calls on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform to probe the rising prices of food and basic commodities, identify policy gaps, and recommend interventions to protect consumers.

9. Anti-Ticket Scalping Act

Protects consumer rights and promotes fairness in ticket distribution by regulating the resale and pricing of concert, event, and sports tickets.

10. Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIF) Utilization and Accountability Act

Seeks to institutionalize transparency in the use of CIFs by establishing clear guidelines for entitlement, release, utilization, reporting, and auditing.

A long-time advocate for the agriculture sector, Pangilinan has walked the talk—serving as food security czar in 2014 where he helped bring down rice inflation to 0.8% and overall inflation to just 1.5% within a year.

During his 2025 campaign, he anchored his message on food security, identifying the root causes of hunger as the chronic underinvestment in agriculture and the persistence of corruption in government.

“Walang kulay ang gutom. Walang kulay ang kahirapan. Walang kulay ang solusyon,” he stressed.

With these legislative proposals, Pangilinan reaffirms his commitment to deliver not just relief—but real, long-term solutions for Filipino families, farmers, and fisherfolk.