Kiko Pangilinan

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Monday visited the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to discuss the country’s irrigation programs and identify urgent interventions to help farmers gain better access to water—one of the most critical inputs in agriculture.

Pangilinan met with NIA Administrator Eddie Guillen and other key officials to assess ongoing irrigation initiatives and how they are helping increase farmers’ incomes and reduce food prices.

“Bumisita tayo sa National Irrigation Administration (NIA) para alamin ang kasalukuyang estado ng patubig ng bansa at ang resulta ng mga proyekto at interbensyon ng ahensya para mapataas ang kita ng mga magsasaka at mapababa ang presyo ng bilihin,” the senator shared in a Facebook post.

On the campaign trail, Pangilinan vowed to prioritize long-standing challenges in the agriculture sector—including the lack of reliable irrigation systems. Monday’s visit is one of several planned engagements with agencies that directly affect farmers and fisherfolk.

A long-time advocate for agricultural workers, Pangilinan previously served as Presidential Assistant on Food Security and Agricultural Modernization under the Aquino administration. During this time, he also held the post of Chairman of the Board of the National Irrigation Administration (2014–2015). Under his leadership, rice inflation dropped to a 20-year low, and over ₱3.5 billion worth of irrigation projects were rolled out across the country—benefiting thousands of farmers.

“Ngayong tayo ay balik-Senado, ating hangad na makatulong muli na maisaayos ang irigasyon sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa—para sa ikauunlad ng sektor ng agrikultura at ng kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka,” Pangilinan added.

Since returning to the Senate, the lawmaker has filed 20 legislative measures, including 18 priority bills and two resolutions, focused on boosting food production, uplifting rural livelihoods, and ending hunger and poverty. These include proposals to:
• Strengthen implementation of the Sagip Saka Act,
• Restore the regulatory powers of the National Food Authority, and
• Investigate the impact of commercial fishing on small-scale fisherfolk.

“Walang kulay ang gutom. Walang kulay ang solusyon. Kung gusto nating bumaba ang presyo ng pagkain, kailangan nating palakasin ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda—at hindi ito magagawa kung kulang sa patubig ang kanilang bukirin,” Pangilinan emphasized.