CAUAYAN City—Comebacking senatorial candidate Francis Pangilinan, a staunch advocate for agriculture and fisheries development, said here he is focused on sustainable practices to help Filipino fishermen maintain their livelihoods amid challenges.
Pangilinan emphasized the need for helping farmers and fishermen, whom he sees as foundations of the country’s economy and are essential to solving national problems with food security.
Pangilinan underlined the value of supporting local farmers and buying agricultural products directly from the farmers in order to address issues with food supply.
Pangilinan also cited Sagip Saka Act, also known as Republic Act 11321, which he sponsored up to approval in 2019, saying the measure served as the cornerstone of his plan to revive the agriculture industry.
The law sought to raise the incomes of fishermen and farmers to a point where they may live with dignity, he said
Allowing the national and local governments to purchase produce directly from farmers and fishermen, the act does away with the need for public bidding.
Pangilinan gave examples of the law’s successful implementations as demonstrated by the provincial government of Isabela.
According to him, the procedure could be a way to eliminate the need for middlemen, increasing the revenue of farmers and fishermen while lowering the cost of agricultural goods for consumers.
For students in public schools from kindergarten to senior high school, Pangilinan proposed a Libreng Almusal (Free Breakfast) program.
The complete implementation of the Sagip Saka Act, which permits government agencies to buy products directly from farmers and fishermen without holding a public auction would complement the program, he said.
