MANILA – Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Wednesday welcomed reports that the agriculture sector rebounded in 2025, citing data presented by Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa showing the sector ended the year with an output value of ₱1.77 trillion, its highest in five years.

In a statement dated January 29, Pangilinan said de Mesa reported during a January 28 press conference that poultry production accounted for a large part of the sector’s growth.

Pangilinan congratulated officials and personnel of the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel, as well as stakeholders across the agriculture sector, for the positive development.

He said that since returning to the Senate, he has pushed for measures aimed at improving the agriculture sector, which he said should be measured by higher incomes for farmers and fishers and more affordable and accessible food for Filipino families.

Pangilinan acknowledged that there is still a long way to go, but said the gains are worth celebrating because of the immediate and serious implementation of key commitments.

He cited the issuance of Executive Order No. 101, which ordered the accelerated implementation of the Sagip Saka Act, allowing local government units and government agencies to directly purchase food for feeding and other programs from farmers and fishers. He noted that the 2026 budget allocates ₱500 million for the full implementation of the program.

He also pointed to Executive Order No. 100, which set a palay floor price to protect rice farmers from losses despite high production during the first half of the year. Pangilinan said the measure helped prevent a drop in palay prices and was complemented by efforts to push for a rice import ban to level the playing field for local farmers.

In addition, Pangilinan said he convinced the DA to fill vacancies with agricultural extension workers, whom he likened to barangay health workers, to provide face-to-face assistance to farmers on concerns such as fertilizer and pesticide use.

Pangilinan said that with these measures and sustained focus on food security and support for farmers and fishers, the government hopes the agriculture sector’s recovery will be sustained and not merely the result of chance.