MANILA — Francis Pangilinan called on young lawmakers to take a more active role in carrying out the Sagip Saka Act and advancing governance reforms centered on the public’s welfare.

Speaking at the national convention of the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL), where he is the founding president, Pangilinan underscored the importance of youth legislators in strengthening nation-building efforts, boosting rural development, and ensuring food security.

He challenged members to operationalize the Sagip Saka Act, a measure he authored and sponsored, which permits national government agencies and local government units to directly procure food from accredited farmers’ and fisherfolk’s cooperatives without undergoing public bidding.

“Dito na kayo papasok, mga kabataang mambabatas: national blueprint of young legislators. Inumpisahan na natin ang organisasyong ito 35 years ago bilang isang kilusan ng mga batang mambabatas at naniniwala sa bagong pulitika, sa mabuting pamumuno na nakabatay sa prinsipyo, plataporma at pagpapatupad. Hindi patronage. Hindi palakasan. Hindi padrino,” Pangilinan said.

“Malaki na ang NMYL. Malawak ang sakop. Meron na rin napatunayan kaya kung meron pwedeng pumosisyon para paganahin ang Sagip Saka sa ground at pagandahin ang kita ng ating magsasaka at mangingisda, kayo yun,” he added.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, Pangilinan cited the experience of the CamSur Multipurpose Cooperative as an example of the law’s impact. He said the cooperative’s direct sales rose from P7 million in 2019 to P62 million following the implementation of the measure.

By 2026, the cooperative reportedly generated nearly P300 million in total direct sales through agreements with government institutions such as the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and several local government units.

The senator encouraged participants to ensure full implementation of the law to raise farmers’ and fisherfolk’s incomes and widen their access to markets. He also pressed them to uphold transparency and accountability in executing the program.

“Ikaw na batang mambabatas, you stand in a unique intersection of power and possibility. Nakatayo sa isang katanging-tanging sangangdaan ng kapangyarihan at posibilidad,” he said.

“Yan ang pinaglaban natin noong tinatag natin ang NMYL noong ako’y konsehal ng Quezon City 35 years ago — Good governance,” Pangilinan added.