Former Senator and senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has raised concerns about the worsening food crisis, as the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey reveals that hunger among Filipino families has reached its highest level since the pandemic.

“This is alarming. It means that nearly three out of every ten Filipino families are not getting enough to eat. There are families going to bed with empty stomachs. There are parents who skip meals just to make sure their children have something to eat. There are farmers who can’t afford to buy the food they themselves harvest. This is why we are pushing for the Hello Pagkain sa Mababang Presyo program,” Pangilinan emphasized.

The SWS survey, conducted in March 2025, revealed that 27.2 percent of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger — a stark reminder of the economic hardships gripping millions of households due to rising food prices.

As part of his campaign, Pangilinan has advocated for urgent food security reforms, including strengthening the Sagip Saka Act to ensure that farmers and fisherfolk earn more while consumers pay less for food, pushing for targeted government intervention to stabilize food prices, particularly through direct purchases from farmers and fisherfolk, expanding farm-to-market programs to reduce unnecessary middlemen costs and ensure that affordable food reaches communities faster, and implementing a national feeding program for school-aged children to ensure that students receive nutritious meals in schools to combat malnutrition and improve learning outcomes.

“Hunger is not just a statistic — it is a painful reality for millions of Filipinos. This is not just an economic issue; it is a moral obligation to ensure that no Filipino goes hungry in their own country. It is heartbreaking that in a country rich in natural resources, there are still families who go hungry every day,” he added.

More support to farmers, fisherfolk

If reelected senator, Pangilinan said he plans to call for a Senate hearing to ensure that a percentage of the government’s budget is allocated to support farmers and fisherfolk.