Former Senator and senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Friday assured farmers that he will prioritize their welfare and livelihood through the full implementation of his Sagip Saka Act once elected to the Senate.
Pangilinan made the commitment as he met with farmers at the Mantalongon Public Market in Dalaguete, Cebu, which is considered the “Vegetable Basket of Cebu” for supplying 60 to 70 percent of vegetable needs in Central Visayas.
“Nangangako tayong tututukan ang inyong kapakanan at kabuhayan sa tulong ng inakda nating Sagip Saka Act. Kapag naipatupad ito nang todo, siguradong tataas ang inyong kita,” Pangilinan said as he explained to farmers the provisions of the law and provided them with copies.
Authored and championed by Pangilinan in the Senate, the Sagip Saka Act allows the national and local governments to directly purchase from farmers and fishermen without public bidding.
In addition to meeting with farmers, the former senator visited the market to explore ways to replicate his initiative in Nueva Ecija, where he facilitated the direct purchase of five tons of tomatoes by the Muntinlupa City government from local farmers.
“Sa pamamagitan ng Sagip Saka Act, nabili ang ani nilang kamatis ng P25 kada kilo, mas mataas kumpara sa presyo sa merkado na apat na piso kada kilo, kaya kumita ang mga magsasaka ng Nueva Ecija,” Pangilinan explained.
Pangilinan said other local government units (LGUs) can follow Muntinlupa City’s lead by directly sourcing from farmers at fair prices. These can be used for their feeding programs and calamity relief efforts.
“Maaari ring ibagsak ng local government units sa mga palengke ang nabili nilang gulay para maibenta sa kanilang mga residente sa mas mababang presyo,” he pointed out.
Under his watch as food security secretary of President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III from June 2014 to September 2015, Pangilinan successfully reduced rice prices by up to P3 pesos per kilo and lowered rice inflation from 15 percent to 0.8 percent.
It led to the lowest nationwide inflation rate in 20 years, increasing the public’s purchasing power.