Valedictory Speech of Senator Cynthia Villar

Session dated 10 June 2025

Mr. Senate President, esteemed colleagues, dear friends, and fellow Filipinos—

Twelve years ago, I entered the halls of the Senate with a clear intention: To serve with integrity and use the knowledge I had to make a difference, especially to uplift the lives of those who need it most. Ang nais ko po ay magamit ang aking karanasan upang mapataas ang kalidad ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang ating mga magsasaka na siyang nagpapakain sa atin, ngunit madalas ay nananatiling salat sa tulong at oportunidad.

I am honored to have been entrusted with the duties of Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, and later, of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change - roles that allowed me to work on areas where policies could create real and lasting impact for the Filipino people.

As Chairperson of the agriculture committee, I focused on legislation that could directly support farmers, fisherfolk, and rural producers. These are some of the key laws we passed:

RA 10654 – Prevents Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF).

RA 10659 – Sugarcane Industry Development Act

RA 10816 – Farm Tourism Development Act

RA 10817 – Halal Export Development and Promotion Act

RA 10845 – Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, which was strengthened by RA 12022 the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act of 2024.

RA 10969 – Free Irrigation Service Act

RA 11203 – Rice Tariffication Law, as enhanced by RA 12078. It reformed the country’s rice import policy and established annual Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to provide rice farmers with high-quality seeds, modern farm equipment, accessible credit, and capacity-building programs

RA 11321 – Sagip Saka Act

RA 11511 – Enhances the Organic Agriculture Act and introduces the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for smallholder certification.

RA 11524 – Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act: Returns recovered coco levy funds to farmers via programs and support.

RA 11547 – Declares Davao City as the Chocolate Capital and Region XI as the Cacao Capital of the Philippines.

RA 11700 – Declares Catanduanes as the Abaca Capital.

RA 11707 – Declares San Jose, Batangas as the Egg Basket of the Philippines.

RA 11901 – Expands rural and agricultural financing through the Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Financing Enhancement Act.

RA 11953 – New Agrarian Emancipation Act: Condoned ₱57 billion in unpaid amortizations of 600,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries.

RA 11985 – Philippine Salt Industry Development Act

Over 50 RAs establishing 63 Fish Hatcheries nationwide to boost aquaculture and local food production.

As Chairperson of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, I pursued legislative action to protect the country’s rich biodiversity and promote sustainable use of natural resources.

RA 11038 – Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act of 2018, which declared 94 new legislated protected areas across the country, such as forests, watersheds, and marine ecosystems, to ensure their long-term conservation and proper management. Ito po ay pamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon.

Dagdag pa rito, we have passed additional specific protected area laws passed under my term, which include:

RA 11684 – Mt. Arayat Protected Landscape Act

RA 11685 – Mt. Pulag Protected Landscape Act

RA 11686 – Naga-Kabasalan Protected Landscape Act

RA 11687 – Tirad Pass Protected Landscape Act

RA 11688 – Banao Protected Landscape Act

RA 11806 – Tugbo Natural Biotic Area Act

RA 11933 – Sicogon Island Wildlife Sanctuary Act

We have also championed the passage of RA 11898 – Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022, which Institutionalizes accountability in the use of plastic packaging by requiring producers to recover their plastic waste. This law encourages us to change how we view waste—to repurpose instead of simply discard, and to see used materials as part of a circular economy. I hope this becomes a precedent not just for plastics but for other forms of waste - like electronic waste, bulk waste, and hazardous materials. Responsibilidad ng gumawa, ayusin ang iniwang basura.

During the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, this august chamber quickly adapted. I was proud to be part of the institution that helped our nation respond and recover. We passed the Bayanihan laws, funded emergency subsidies, and supported our health system—all while keeping essential food systems running.

Throughout my term, I had the privilege of working with 5 Senate Presidents, namely Senators Franklin Drilon, Koko Pimentel, Tito Sotto, Migz Zubiri, and Chiz Escudero—thank you for your leadership and guidance.

To my fellow Senators, thank you for your friendship, collaboration, and the many meaningful moments we shared in service. I was fortunate to have worked with you all. Allow me to mention your names in alphabetical order:

Senators Sonny Angara, Bam Aquino, Nancy Binay, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Leila de Lima, the late Miriam Defensor Santiago, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Franklin Drilon, JV Ejercito, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Win Gatchalian, Richard “Dick” Gordon, Bong Go, TG Guingona, Gringo Honasan, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, our President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Imee Marcos, Manny Pacquiao, Robin Padilla, Kiko Pangilinan, Koko Pimentel, Grace Poe, Ralph Recto, Bong Revilla Jr., Tito Sotto, Sergio Osmeña III, Francis Tolentino, Raffy Tulfo, Sonny Trillanes IV, Joel Villanueva and Mark Villar.

To the Senate Secretariat and our entire support family—from OSAA, to the elevator attendants who welcome us with their smiles, to the administrative, committee, and technical staff who assist us in every hearing and plenary session, and in managing the respective Senators’ offices—maraming salamat sa inyong tahimik pero mahalagang papel sa ating araw-araw na trabaho. Hindi magiging maayos at makabuluhan ang aming paglilingkod kung wala ang inyong sipag, tiyaga, at propesyonalismo.

To my staff and team—thank you for standing by me every step of the way.

To the incoming and remaining Senators: We live in complex times. Fake news and malicious narratives now easily damage reputations and erode public trust. And while some say this is all “part of the job,” it should not be. Let us remain anchored on the truth. Let us rise above the noise. Let us protect not just ourselves, but the very institution we serve.

In this Chamber, you fondly call me Mamabear — a simple moniker, but one I took to heart. To be Mamabear meant being fiercely protective, genuinely caring, and always dependable. I saw it as a gesture of trust and respect, and a reminder to always show up, give my best, and look out for those around me.

My term may be ending, but my commitment to public service remains. Hindi po natatapos ang paglilingkod sa pagtatapos ng termino. Sa halip, ito ay simula ng panibagong paraan ng makabuluhang ambag sa bayan.

Salamat, Panginoon, sa biyaya ng pagkakataong makapaglingkod.

Salamat sa aking mga kasamahan, sa mga kawani ng Senado, pati na rin sa iba’t ibang sangay ng gobyerno na nakatrabaho at nakasalamuha ko, at higit sa lahat, sa ating mga kababayan, sa inyong tiwala at patuloy na inspirasyon.

Mabuhay ang Senado. Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino.