MANILA – Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan urged local government units (LGUs) to support and implement the Sagip Saka Act during a dialogue with 67 Mayors for Good Governance and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The law, authored and passed by Pangilinan in 2019, allows national government agencies and LGUs to directly purchase agricultural and fisheries products from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.

“Sana lahat ng LGU ay tumaya at tiyakin ang full implementation ng batas na ito kasama ang DA,” Pangilinan said.

The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, emphasized the critical role of LGUs in implementing policies, laws, and programs, calling them the “frontliners” of government initiatives due to their proximity and immediate mandate to serve communities at the grassroots level.

“Pag mas active ang LGU ramdam ang resulta ng national government programs. That’s why indispensable, as far as I’m concerned, ang cooperation between national and local governments, lalo na sa agrikultura,” he said.

“Yung gabay ng LGU ay importante. These programs are made precisely for us to be able to purchase directly sa ating farmers and our fisherfolk. And with the help of LGUs, malaking bagay na maipatupad ng tama, maganda ang kita ng ating mga magsasaka,” Pangilinan added.

He also highlighted his role in pushing for Executive Order Nos. 100 and 101, signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. last year. EO 100 sets a floor price for palay to protect farmers from low farmgate prices, while EO 101 directs government agencies to fully implement the Sagip Saka Act.

“Kaya napakahalaga dahil ‘pag bumili ang national at local governments sa ating mga magsasaka, babalik sa lokal na ekonomiya yung pera, lalago ang local economy, sariwa pa ang magiging mga produkto,” Pangilinan said, noting the measure’s benefits for sustainable local food production, strengthened rural development, and accessible fresh and nutritious food products.