Senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan is calling for the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act and the creation of a P500-million to P1-billion calamity fund to help lower food prices and rescue oversupplied crops, particularly rice.

On the campaign trail in Nueva Ecija and Sorsogon, Pangilinan laid out concrete plans aimed at empowering farmers, stabilizing market supply, and cutting the cost of essential goods.

At an event in Nueva Ecija, he emphasized the importance of fully enforcing the Sagip Saka Act, a law he authored, which allows the national and local governments to directly purchase food from farmers and fisherfolk without the need for public bidding.

“That’s what we need — full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act— to bring prices down and help our farmers,” Pangilinan said in Filipino.

He urged agencies such as the Departments of Agriculture, Interior and Local Government, Education, and Social Welfare to coordinate their food procurement efforts with local government units and purchase supplies straight from the producers. He explained that government institutions such as hospitals, jails, military camps, and schools could use this approach to source food for their programs, while helping ensure a steady income for farmers.

As an example, Pangilinan cited his recently launched Oplan Sagip Kamatis in Nueva Ecija, which rescued 12 tons of surplus tomatoes. The Muntinlupa City government bought five tons at P25 to P30 per kilo — far higher than the P4 per kilo being offered by middlemen. The tomatoes were used for feeding programs and disaster relief, while the LGU saved costs and the farmers earned more.

“The price of tomatoes in Manila is one hundred pesos. Middlemen are earning huge profits — almost triple. The price in Manila is more than triple, but if you buy directly from farmers and bring it straight to Manila, it only costs thirty pesos. So the local government saves money, and the farmers earn well. That’s what the Sagip Saka Act is about,” Pangilinan emphasized.

“When food prices go down, we can buy more. And when we can buy more, we can prepare more. And when there’s plenty on the table, there’s plenty to take home — what we call a ‘Sharon,’” he added, making a popular reference to his wife, Megastar Sharon Cuneta.

Calamity fund for additional support

In a separate interview on WOW Radio’s Frontline in Sorsogon, Pangilinan pushed for the establishment of a government calamity fund to support rice farmers currently facing oversupply and depressed farmgate prices. He said this fund, amounting to P500 million to P1 billion, would allow the government to purchase excess produce and help bring down food prices in the market.

“We’re in a food crisis. If the government has declared a food emergency, it should back that with a calamity fund so the national and local governments can buy rice directly from farmers and help stabilize prices,” he said.

Pangilinan expressed frustration over the timing of rice importation during the harvest season.

“What’s happening now is that while it’s harvest season, importation is being done at the same time? Why? We already have plenty of supply here — so why allow imports at the same time?” he asked.

“When imports come in during harvest, the price of palay drops again. And when palay prices go down, it’s bought cheaply and then stockpiled,” the former food security czar added.

The former senator called for a multi-pronged response that includes cracking down on smuggling and hoarding, adjusting importation policies to protect local producers, and fully enforcing existing laws such as the Sagip Saka Act.

Pangilinan also pointed to his record as food security czar under the Aquino administration, during which rice inflation dropped from 15 percent to 0.8 percent, and overall inflation fell to 1.5 percent — then the lowest in two decades. He attributed these results to anti-corruption measures in the agriculture sector and targeted support for local producers.

Now running for a fourth term in the Senate, Pangilinan vowed to pass legislation that empowers farmers and fisherfolk while ensuring that every Filipino has access to affordable, nutritious food.