Senatorial aspirant Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan is vowing to enlist the private sector to fund his proposed “Libreng Almusal (Free Breakfast)” program for public school students if elected in the 2025 midterm elections.

Speaking at the launch of the Kawa Pilipinas community kitchen in Manila on Sunday, Pangilinan stressed the private sector’s role in achieving food security and justice. He said while the government would initiate and catalyze the program, the private sector would ensure its sustainability.

“The ones with the deepest pockets are actually the private sector,” said Pangilinan, citing that the government accounts for only 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, while the private sector contributes 80 percent.

Pangilinan’s free breakfast program aims to provide nutritious food to public school students from daycare to Grade 12, addressing the impact of hunger on children’s learning.

He also stressed that up to half of the food served would be sourced from local farmers and fisherfolk to boost their incomes.

His Sagip Saka Act, which allows government agencies to buy directly from farmers and fisherfolk, would complement the program.

Pangilinan also addressed rising poverty and food prices. Citing a December 2024 Social Weather Stations survey, he noted that 63 percent of families consider themselves poor, the highest level in 21 years.

He argued that addressing supply chain gaps and fully implementing the Sagip Saka Act could halve food prices in urban centers.

“If that is the supply chain and it’s done right, we can actually reduce food prices by as much as 70, 60 percent of prevailing prices,” Pangilinan said.

He also shared his “Oplan Sagip Kamatis” initiative, which saved 12 tons of surplus tomatoes in Rizal and Nueva Ecija. The local government of Muntinlupa City — under the Sagip Saka Act — purchased five tons and Valenzuela and Parañaque plan to follow suit.

However, Pangilinan lamented the “difficult time” for Filipinos, citing high poverty and hopelessness levels and expressed concern for farmers and fisherfolk, saying, “They remain invisible. They remain forgotten. They remain voiceless. And what kind of society will say this is okay?”

He stressed the need to support farmers and fisherfolk to secure food supply and stabilize prices.