MANILA – Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has called on the government to create a conducive environment that will encourage the private sector to take a more active role in rural development, food security, and the empowerment of farmers and fisherfolk.

In a recent meeting with officials of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, outlined measures, policies, and amendments he is pursuing to boost the country’s agricultural sector.

Chief among these, he said, is mobilizing the private sector to help improve the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk, which is vital to securing the nation’s food supply chain.

“I think that will be good moving forward, so we will strengthen our synergy with the private sector. In the end, the private sector has the deepest pocket, not really the government. But the only reason the private sector is not inspired is because the government is not inspiring,” Pangilinan said.

He noted the disparity between crops supported by government—such as rice, coconut, and sugar—which continue to struggle, and products backed by private companies, such as pineapple, mangoes, and bananas, which are thriving.

Stressing the need to “fix the governance aspect” of agriculture, Pangilinan said strengthening private sector participation is one way to address long-standing challenges in the industry.

“In other words, if the government is inspiring then the private sector will be inspired. And because the private sector has the deepest pocket, then you will really see investments in agriculture,” he said.

The senator emphasized that while government support remains crucial, meaningful progress can only be achieved if the business community becomes co-champions of the country’s food producers.