MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan called on government agencies to comply with the mandated 15-day payment period for farmers and fisherfolk under the Sagip Saka Act.

Pangilinan stressed that payments for delivered goods must be released within 15 working days, as required by the law he authored and passed in 2019. The measure allows national government agencies and local government units to directly procure food from farmers and fisherfolk.

The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, underscored the importance of timely payments in sustaining livelihoods, supporting production, and ensuring food security.

“Hanggat di kayo nagbabayad nung mga utang ninyo, hindi ko ipapa-approve yung budget niyo,” he warned during a recent dialogue with farmers and fisherfolk groups in Mindanao.

The call came after several farmer and small-scale fisher groups reported delayed payments reaching millions of pesos.

At least two groups said the Department of Education (DepEd) has yet to settle millions worth of payments for food supplies procured for its feeding programs since late last year.

“Hindi naman tama na ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda pa ang lalo nating pahihirapan dahil sa kakulangan at kahirapan ng sistema sa gobyerno. Hindi sila dapat magdusa at sumalo ng pagkatalo dahil hindi tayo makabayad sa oras,” he said.

Pangilinan emphasized that delayed payments undermine the intent of the Sagip Saka Act, which aims to give farmers and fisherfolk direct access to institutional buyers, including government agencies.

He urged agencies involved in procurement, subsidy distribution, and credit programs to improve payment systems, enhance coordination, and ensure prompt settlement of obligations.

The senator also called for a review of existing processes to identify bottlenecks and implement corrective measures.

Pangilinan reiterated his support for policies that promote fair compensation, strengthen institutional backing, and protect the welfare of farmers and fisherfolk.