MANILA, Philippines — Senator Cynthia Villar defended her record on agricultural reform during her valedictory speech at the Senate, citing laws she helped pass to support farmers, despite mounting criticism from peasant groups accusing her of harming the sector.

Villar, who chaired the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform during much of her 12-year term, said her priority was to “uplift the lives of farmers, fisherfolk, and rural producers” by pushing for key legislation.

Among the laws she highlighted were the Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203), the Free Irrigation Service Act (RA 10969), the Sagip Saka Act (RA 11321), and the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act (RA 11524). Villar also noted the passage of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act (RA 10845) and its expansion under the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act of 2024 (RA 12022).

She said the Rice Tariffication Law, which created the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, was designed to provide farmers with high-quality seeds, equipment, credit, and training.

Villar also cited laws declaring protected landscapes and boosting rural development, including legislation that established 63 fish hatcheries and expanded financing for agriculture and fisheries.

Her remarks come as several farmers’ groups have criticized her for championing the rice tariffication law, which they say resulted in falling farmgate prices for palay and increased dependence on rice imports. Villar has denied these claims, maintaining that the law aimed to modernize the rice industry.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, Villar also underscored her role in passing the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (RA 11038) and the Extended Producer Responsibility Act (RA 11898), which require companies to recover plastic waste.

“My term may be ending, but my commitment to public service remains,” Villar said at the close of her speech. “Hindi po natatapos ang paglilingkod sa pagtatapos ng termino.”