Former senator and senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan is pushing for an additional P8-billion budget for the Department of Agriculture (DA) over six years to fund drying and cold storage facilities and provide critical support for farmers.

In an interview on Radyo Natin Odiongan, Pangilinan emphasized that lowering rice prices hinges on strong government investment in the agricultural sector.

“That additional funding will go to drying facilities, fertilizers, pesticides and cold storage,” he said. “We can lower rice prices — but as they say, ‘Put your money where your mouth is,’ not in your pocket as a public servant.”

Pangilinan also cited a recent survey showing that 36 percent of Filipinos experience hunger, stressing the need for full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act — a law he authored — which allows government agencies to purchase food directly from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.

He explained that this measure would increase farmers’ incomes, strengthen the food supply chain, and help reduce food prices. As food security secretary in 2015, Pangilinan oversaw a drop in rice inflation from 15 percent to 0.8 percent and overall inflation to 1.5 percent by directing the NFA to sell rice at P27–P32 per kilo and cracking down on smugglers.

“We did it before — we can do it again,” he said.

Pangilinan also urged fellow candidates to focus on pressing issues like hunger and food security:

“Hunger has no color. The solution has no color. Let’s listen to the people — not just because it’s our mandate, but because they deserve it.”

Protecting municipal waters

Pangilinan also vowed to pass legislation protecting the 15-kilometer municipal water zone if elected in May. This comes in response to a Supreme Court decision upholding a lower court ruling that declared preferential access for small-scale fishers unconstitutional — a decision he firmly opposes.

“I promise to file a bill to amend the law and fix this issue if I return to the Senate,” Pangilinan told farmers and fisherfolk in Romblon.

He backs the DA and BFAR’s appeal of the decision, stressing that municipal waters are vital to the livelihood of small-scale fishers.

“Research shows that when fisherfolk, local authorities and agencies work together to manage municipal waters, catch increases and incomes improve.”

Pangilinan also criticized the intrusion of large commercial fishing vessels into municipal zones:

“They have the capacity to fish in deeper waters. Competing in areas meant for small fishers is unfair — and it must stop.”

He pledged continued support for Romblon fisherfolk, recalling his 2022 distribution of 33 boats to help improve their income. He also committed to enacting new laws for small fisherfolk protection, reviving his proposal for a Department of Fisheries, and securing a larger budget for the fisheries sector. TDT