MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said he will push for a larger agriculture budget to fund a nationwide soil-testing program that aims to help farmers improve crop yields, reduce input costs, and strengthen the country’s long-term food security.

Pangilinan delivered a keynote address at the World Soil Day Forum held at the Gov. D.O. Plaza, Government Center, in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, on Friday, December 5.

In his speech, he emphasized the importance of scientific, data-driven soil analysis in guiding farmers to apply the correct type and amount of fertilizer, ensuring more efficient use of resources and preventing long-term soil degradation.

“Kaya in the next 24 months, we have to push for bigger appropriation sa ating agriculture, sa ating fisheries, dahil yan ang susi para gumanda ang supply ng pagkain sa ating bansa, bumaba na ang presyo ng pagkain, maging abot kamay na ang pagkain para sa lahat,” Pangilinan said.

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, Pangilinan highlighted that soil testing and information systems are basic needs for the agricultural sector to ensure data-driven and science-backed farming methods.

“These tools diagnose, as many of you are familiar, soil health for acidity, pH, nutrients, microbes,” he said. “Tapos yung data, dapat ilalagay sa isang digital platform of Philippine soil information, which in turn will deliver tailored advice faster. Mahalaga talaga kasi lahat nag-uumpisa sa lupa.”

Pangilinan also praised Agusan del Sur 2nd District Rep. Eddiebong Plaza, calling him the country’s Soil Health Champion for leading the first coordination meeting for the National Soil Strategy and representing the Philippines in the launch of the Australia-Philippine Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029.

During his visit to Agusan del Sur, Pangilinan toured a soil laboratory and visited the Provincial Research Development and Innovation Office, the USAD Farm – Agricultural Resource Center, the Rubber Nursery, and the Agricultural Resource Center. He was accompanied by Plaza, Reps. Alfelito Bascug of Agusan del Sur 1st District and Angela Garcia of Bataan 3rd District, Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago Cane Jr., and Vice Governor Patricia Plaza.

World Soil Day, officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly, has been observed every December 5 since 2013 to raise awareness on the importance of healthy soil and promote sustainable soil management, food security, and ecosystem protection.