Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan reiterated the need for the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act, a 2019 landmark law he authored, which allows national government agencies and local government units to purchase produce directly from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.

During the National Rice Awareness Month Rice Festival at the Garcia-Hernandez Sports Complex in Bohol province on Saturday, the implementation of the law proves that his campaign message of rural development and the empowerment of farmers and fisherfolk is more than just a promise.

Further, the lawmaker emphasized how the Sagip Saka Act is a long-term, structural solution that empowers agricultural communities not through financial assistance and aid, but through sustainable access to markets, modern technologies, and institutional partnerships.

“And in 2022, when I ran for vice president, and also in 2025 when I ran for senator, I always carried the advocacy of agriculture and fishermen. Until now, I am no longer a candidate, I still carry the latest documents to implement the Sagip Saka Act properly,” he said.

Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, is referring to Executive Order (EO) 100 and 101, both signed by President Marcos.

EO 100 mandates a minimum floor price for palay when the government purchases it from farmers, while EO 101 directs government agencies to implement the Sagip Saka Act fully.

Under EO 100, Pangilinan said the transitory provision states that while the prices for palay set by the steering committee are still being determined, the amounts will follow the National Food Authority’s regional floor price computation, which is currently P17 to P23 per kilo for wet palay and P23 to P30 per kilo for dry palay.

Hike rice tariff

Moreover, he stressed the importance of increasing the tariff rate on imported rice and amending the Rice Tariffication Law, noting that these two policies led to an influx of imported rice into the domestic market.

“We didn’t just make promises in the campaign. We really pushed through because we believe that hunger has no color, food security has no color, and the main reason for us to strengthen food security is the main priority — we must strengthen our farmers and our fisherfolk,” Pangilinan stressed.

The senator immediately reached out to the Department of Budget and Management upon taking office in July to demand the issuance of guidelines for all government instrumentalities on how they can use the Sagip Saka Act to improve the lives of farmers and fisherfolk and to empower the agriculture sector.