Former senator and senatorial candidate Kiko Pangilinan is advocating for the implementation of cluster farming in the Philippines to boost the incomes of small-scale farmers and fisherfolk by expanding production and improving access to larger markets.

Speaking at the event “Activity: Kakaba-kaba Ka Ba? Dealing With Uncertainties in the RP’s Political Future” in Quezon City on Saturday, 5 April, Pangilinan emphasized the importance of land reforms, such as halting the conversion of irrigated agricultural lands and promoting “true” agrarian reform.

However, he also noted that the country’s farming practices remain “outdated” and highlighted the need for cluster farming and enhanced support services to achieve food security and improve the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk.

Despite recent setbacks from fake news and trolls, Pangilinan remains a contender in the senatorial race.

“Until and unless we mobilize resources around farming and fishing communities and build their capacities, we won’t be able to fully realize the benefits of land reform,” said Pangilinan, who manages his own farm in Cavite.

A key part of his agenda if elected in the May 2025 midterm elections is the clustering of farms. He cited Taiwan and Thailand as examples, where smaller farms have been consolidated into larger agricultural plots of 30 to 50 hectares. In contrast, he pointed out that the average farm size in the Philippines is only around 9,000 square meters.

“We need cluster farms for economies of scale,” Pangilinan stressed, referring to the grouping of small farms to transform production from subsistence agriculture to a market-driven system.

In addition to cluster farming, Pangilinan plans to expand support services, including better access to credit, markets, organizing farmers into cooperatives and improving infrastructure and post-harvest facilities like cold storage for farmers and fisherfolk.

He explained that cold storage would allow farmers to store surplus harvests for longer periods, preventing them from being forced to sell at low prices to exploitative middlemen.

“If given the opportunity, I will push for a six-year plan to increase government support for agriculture to achieve food security and lift farmers out of poverty,” Pangilinan said.

With a strong focus on food security, Pangilinan also expressed his willingness to collaborate with all political factions to combat hunger, poverty, and achieve lasting food security.

Kiko urges house-to-house campaign

Meanwhile, Pangilinan urged supporters to conduct house-to-house campaigning to better connect his advocacies with voters.

Pangilinan explained that in synchronized national and local elections, voters often focus more on local issues, neglecting national candidates.

He highlighted that while local politicians can enjoy approval ratings as high as 85 percent, a 40 percent approval rating is considered good for national candidates.

Pangilinan emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the Senate’s role, encouraging voters to see beyond popularity and consider candidates’ actual impact.

Despite recent setbacks from fake news and trolls, Pangilinan remains a contender in the senatorial race, buoyed by his strong base of volunteers and consistent support in college-based surveys. His key priorities include food security and reducing food prices.