MANILA — Filipinos will continue to face high food prices and rising hunger if the agriculture sector does not receive adequate support, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan warned on Tuesday, December 9.

“Mananatiling gutom ang ating mga kababayan at mananatiling hirap at naghihikahos ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda kung patuloy natin tatalikuran ang pangangailan ng sektor ng agrikultura,” he said, adding, “Panahon na para umusad ang agriculture sector. Panahon na para pagsilbihan natin ng tama ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng tamang suporta. Panahon na para simulan natin tapusin ang kalam ng sikmura ng bawat Pilipino.”

Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, has defended the proposed 2026 budgets of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), which together total P214.02 billion. The funding will support irrigation systems, agri-extension services, mechanization, seedlings, post-harvest facilities, cropping equipment, and other agricultural needs.

To prevent misuse of funds, the senator introduced transparency and digital governance measures, including a public online dashboard for irrigation projects showing timelines, finances, contracts, contractors, and geo-tagged photos at key stages. NIA will also implement the Citizen Participatory Audit Program of the Commission on Audit (COA) and submit quarterly reports on project progress to Congress.

Senator Win Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, noted that Pangilinan identified each irrigation project with exact coordinates, instead of only providing lump-sum amounts in the National Expenditure Program.

Pangilinan emphasized that well-funded agricultural programs are essential to tackling low farmer income, climate threats, supply chain inefficiencies, and dependence on food imports. He highlighted strategic investments in infrastructure, research and development, crop insurance, post-harvest facilities, and market support systems.

“If we want farmers to succeed, if we want food prices to stabilize, and if we want our rural communities to thrive, then we must provide agriculture with the robust budget support it deserves,” he said.

Since assuming office in July 2025, Pangilinan has prioritized legislation and policies to strengthen the agriculture sector and ensure national food security. His initiatives include renationalizing DA extension services, supporting agricultural cooperatives, investigating multi-million peso agricultural smuggling involving Chinese syndicates, lobbying for executive orders setting a floor price for palay, and ensuring full implementation of the 2019 Sagip Saka Act.

He is also pushing for a Free Meals Program for public school students, which will require government agencies and local units to source at least 50% of food from local farmers and fisherfolk.