MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan welcomed the government’s release of P10 billion in cash assistance for farmers and fisherfolk, but called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to immediately unlock P18 billion in unused 2025 funds for additional fuel and fertilizer support.

Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, said the DA should utilize unspent allocations to provide urgent relief to the agriculture sector amid rising production costs.

“Hindi pa ba sapat na ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda ang pinakamahirap na sektor ng ating bansa? Kailangan pa ba nila patuloy na magdusa dahil sa sigalot sa Middle East?” he said.

“Nakakahinayang ang araw-araw na lumilipas na mayroon pala tayong maaaring perang magamit pangtulong sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda pero nanatili itong ipit sa burukrasya,” he added.

The senator urged the DA to act quickly in identifying funds that can be lawfully realigned under existing rules, stressing that timely intervention could help stabilize food prices and reduce reliance on imports.

The DA earlier announced the release of the P10-billion Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk, with each of the 4.175 million beneficiaries set to receive P2,325.

Pangilinan noted that this assistance is separate from the P18 billion in potential funds, including P8 billion in unobligated 2025 continuing appropriations and P10 billion in unreleased farm-to-market road funds, which may be tapped for crisis response.

During a recent hearing, the DA also identified other possible funding sources under the 2026 budget, including around P1 billion from energy conservation measures, P2 billion from research allocations, and P16 billion from the fertilizer budget.

He said as much as P32 billion, or about 20 percent of the DA Office of the Secretary’s budget, could still be considered for realignment, subject to presidential approval and existing laws.

“Hindi na kakayanin pa ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda ang hintayin ang makupad nating burukrasya. Bawat piso ay mahalaga para maprotektahan natin sila at ang ordinaryong mamimiling Pilipino,” Pangilinan said.

The senator also reiterated concerns over a possible food shock due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which he said could disrupt global supply chains and drive up the cost of fuel, fertilizer, and key food imports.

He added that while immediate financial support is crucial, the government must also pursue medium-term measures to strengthen local production and improve the resilience of the agriculture and fisheries sectors.