Senatorial candidate Kiko Pangilinan praised Nueva Ecija as the birthplace of the Sagip Saka Act, a landmark legislation that allows the government to purchase produce directly from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.

During a meet-and-greet with volunteers in San Jose City on Wednesday, Pangilinan recalled the role of the province in the creation of the law, particularly the Kalasag Farmers Producers Cooperative, which was one of its first beneficiaries.

Pangilinan, who worked closely with Kalasag farmers since 2011, defended his record against allegations that he had accomplished little during his three Senate terms. He cited his partnership with the Jollibee Foundation, which in 2012 provided P11.8 million to agricultural communities in eight provinces.

The Sagip Saka Act, according to Pangilinan, has saved the government billions by exempting direct purchases from public procurement laws, cutting out middlemen and allowing better prices for both the government and farmers.

He also shared how the law helped farmers in Rizal, Nueva Ecija, under his Oplan Sagip Kamatis initiative, where Muntinlupa City bought five tons of surplus tomatoes from local farmers.

Pangilinan also urged local government units (LGUs) in Valenzuela and Parañaque to buy tomatoes directly from farmers in Rizal, Nueva Ecija, as part of his initiative to reduce reliance on middlemen.

Under the program, tomatoes were sold to LGUs at P25 per kilo, compared to the P3 to P4 per kilo paid to traders. Pangilinan highlighted that tomatoes in Metro Manila are priced at P100 per kilo.

"Grabe ang kinikita ng traders. Binibili ng P3 pero binebenta ng P100. Sino ang nagpagod? Sino ang nagpunla? Sino ang gumastos sa pataba? Sino ang gumastos sa pestesibo? Magsasaka," Pangilinan said, pointing out the disparity in earnings between farmers and traders.

He expressed hope that the Sagip Saka Act would improve farmer incomes and make quality produce more affordable for Filipino families.