I AM VOTING YES, WITH RESERVATIONS, PARTICULARLY ON THE PROVISION AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DA) TO ENTER INTO MEMORANDA OF AGREEMENT (MOAS) WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH) IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ₱33-BILLION FARM-TO-MARKET ROADS (FMR) PROGRAM. THIS IMPLEMENTATION MODALITY RAISES SIGNIFICANT EXECUTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY

As the country approaches the onion harvest season, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Monday, December 29, called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to intensify its anti-agricultural smuggling operations, warning that illegal imports could once again undermine local farmers and distort market prices. Pangilinan,

A new ₱10-million first-time allocation for the Animal Welfare Supervision and Accreditation Program made it into the 2026 national budget to professionalize animal welfare enforcement by supporting standards, inspections, and accreditation, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said.  “Layunin ng programang ito ang mapalawak ang pagtingin at pag-alaga sa mga animal rescues

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said the expanded funding for Agricultural Food Hubs in the 2026 Department of Agriculture (DA) budget is a critical step toward unlocking Mindanao’s potential as the country’s primary food basket and stabilizing food prices nationwide. Under the bicameral conference committee report, funding for Agricultural Food Hubs

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said increased funding for digital agriculture in the 2026 Department of Agriculture budget would help prevent the kind of corruption and leakage seen in recent infrastructure scandals, including the controversial flood-control projects. The bicameral committee raised digital agriculture funding from ₱500 million to ₱600 million, supporting

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said the inclusion of a ₱1-billion Bio-Safe biosecurity enforcement program in the 2026 Department of Agriculture (DA) budget is a critical step toward preventing smuggling and food crises before they spiral into price shocks and shortages. “Nilalayon nitong line item na palakasin ang ating pagkontrol sa

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Monday, December 22, lauded the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for its swift action against a Philippine-based mining corporation embroiled in alleged illegal iron ore-extraction activities in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte.  Following reports of illegal mining and extraction activities outside the permissible area

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said increased funding for fisheries under the 2026 Department of Agriculture (DA) budget is a first step toward a long-overdue recognition that fishers are among the most food-insecure sectors in the country, despite being key food producers. The bicameral committee raised the Bureau of Fisheries and

Aside from being the most transparent, the 2026 national budget also tackles hunger on two fronts by improving child nutrition while putting income directly into the hands of Filipino farmers, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said.  “Sa pagkakataong ito, tinatalaga ng pambansang badyet na bumili ang mga public school ng gatas