MANILA — Senator Francis Pangilinan will lead the launch of “Sagip Saka Day 2026” this weekend in Quezon City as part of efforts to promote food security and improve the welfare of farmers and fisherfolk.

Pangilinan, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, will spearhead the event on May 9 to mark the seventh anniversary of the passage of the Sagip Saka Act, a law he authored in 2019.

The initiative aims to recognize the contributions of farmers and fisherfolk to nation-building while advancing advocacies on rural development and sustainable farming practices.

The event is being organized in partnership with the Quezon City local government, the Department of Agriculture, and the World Food Programme.

According to Pangilinan, the event will also emphasize the need to lower food prices by supporting local food producers and expanding their access to government markets.

“Matagal nang nababalewala at napagiiwanan ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Sila na nagpapakain sa atin ang siya pang patuloy na naghihirap. Panahon na hindi lang para kilalanin natin sila, kung hindi para magtulungan tayo i-angat sila mula sa sadlak na kahirapan,” he said.

The Sagip Saka Act allows national government agencies and local government units to directly procure food from farmers and fisherfolk without undergoing public bidding.

Pangilinan said the law broadens market opportunities for farmers and fishers by connecting them to government feeding programs, noting that the government remains the country’s largest food buyer.

Activities lined up for “Sagip Saka Day” include workshops, exhibitions, and a marketplace featuring fresh produce and products from local farmers.

One of the event’s highlights will be the launch of the Gawad Sagip Saka, which aims to encourage cooperatives, government agencies, and local government units to implement the law.

The program will also feature stories of farmers and fisherfolk who reportedly improved their livelihoods through negotiated supply contracts with the government.

Panel discussions are likewise expected to tackle topics such as farm-to-school feeding programs, free meal initiatives, private sector participation, agricultural financing, agribusiness and entrepreneurship, and procurement reforms.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the Quezon City M.I.C.E. Center on Saturday, May 9.