MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan raised concerns over a significant gap in government assistance for farmers and fisherfolk, saying only a portion of registered food producers are currently covered by aid.

Citing data from the Department of Agriculture’s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (DA-RSBSA), Pangilinan said the ₱10-billion Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk is benefiting only 4.18 million out of 10.76 million registered food producers, leaving about 60 percent without support.

“Frontliner food soldiers sa krisis ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Sandata nila ang agarang tulong-pangkabuhayan para tuloy-tuloy silang makapagbungkal ng lupa at makapaglayag, at tuloy-tuloy din nilang maipaglaban ang pagkain sa bawat hapag-kainang Pilipino,” the senator said.

In response, Pangilinan proposed tapping portions of funds under the 2026 General Appropriations Act to extend assistance to those not yet covered. These include the ₱63.845-billion Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances (PSIFDC), the ₱21.283-billion TUPAD program, and other emergency cash aid initiatives.

TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) is a short-term, community-based emergency employment program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) aimed at disadvantaged and displaced workers.

“As it is, marami pang wala sa registry. As it is, marami na sa kanila ang hirap, wala pa man ding sigalot sa Gitnang Silangan. Kapag tiniyak natin ang kanilang kabuhayan, tinitiyak din natin ang food supply ng buong bansa,” said the chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform.

The senator also urged stronger coordination among government agencies to expand the reach of assistance programs. He called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOLE, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to streamline the delivery of aid.

“Kailangang magsanib-puwersa ang DSWD, DOLE, DILG, DA, at DAR para mapabilis at mapalawak ang pag-abot ng tulong, gamit ang mga programang tulad ng TUPAD, AICS, at iba pang cash assistance,” Pangilinan said.

The Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), a program under the DSWD’s protective services, provides financial and material support to individuals and families facing emergencies.

Pangilinan emphasized that improved inter-agency coordination is key to ensuring faster and broader distribution of assistance, especially amid ongoing economic pressures.

“Simple ang layunin ng mas maayos na koordinasyon: Mas maraming pamilya ang matutulungan at mapo-protektahan natin ang seguridad sa pagkain ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.

“Because to secure our food, we must secure our food producers,” he added.