Kiko Pangilinan files twin agri bills amid Middle East crisis

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has filed twin agricultural reform measures in a bid to strengthen local food production as the conflict in the Middle East continues to threaten global food supply chains, potentially increasing the prices of basic goods and commodities. 

In filing the proposed Agricultural Cooperatives Act and Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act, Pangilinan—chairperson of the Senate committee on agriculture, food and agrarian reform—stressed that food security must remain a top national priority to protect Filipinos from possible food crises.

Specifically under Senate Bill No. 1990, the senator seeks to ensure the development, promotion, and protection of agricultural and fisheries cooperatives by creating a bureau responsible for all related matters. 

The proposed Bureau of Agricultural Cooperatives shall develop advocacy programs for capacity-building and further education of members of agricultural cooperatives, focusing particularly on women and youth; and provide technical assistance to agricultural cooperatives, among others. 

“Sabi nga po nila—to secure our food, we must first secure our farmers and fisherfolks. And para ma-secure ang kanilang kagalingan at kahusayan, kailangan nating ma-organisa at mapalakas ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda, lalo na ang kanilang kabuhayan,” Pangilinan said. 

(As they say—to secure our food, we must first secure our farmers and fisherfolks. And in order to secure their well-being and efficiency, we must organize and strengthen farmers and fishermen, especially their livelihoods.) 

The measure also covers entire value supply chains, including inputs, production, processing, logistics, marketing, savings and credit, farm education, agri-tourism, digital agriculture, and climate-resilient safety nets.

It also seeks to provide tax incentives and encourage government banks and financial institutions to extend preferential treatment to agricultural and fisheries cooperatives. 

Agri extension system

On the other hand, Senate Bill No. 1991, aims to strengthen the national agriculture and fisheries extension system to accelerate the sector’s development. This bill also pushes for the creation of a separate bureau for such. 

It also seeks to bring extension service workers down to the municipal level, ensuring timely and efficient implementation of government programs and the distribution of assistance to farmers and fisherfolk. 

“Mabibilang ang mga expert para sa palay, mais, baboy, manok, isda, at high-value crops. At sila rin ang gumagawa ng lahat ng mga report nitong ating mga extension workers sa regional, at sasagot sa lahat ng tanong. Madalas, galing pa sa sariling bulsa ng ating mga extension workers ang kanilang pamasahe at pagkain tuwing sila ay bibisita sa bukid o sa baybay dagat,” Pangilinan said. 

(There are only a few experts for rice, corn, pork, chicken, fish, and high-value crops. And they are also the ones who prepare all the reports of our extension workers in the region, and will answer all related questions. Oftentimes, our extension workers even pay for their own transportation and food when they visit farms or coastal areas.) 

“Sa ganitong sitwasyon, malinaw na hindi sapat ang disenyo ng ating extension work—kaya’t kailangan itong baguhin,” he added. 

(With this, it is clear that the design of our extension work is inadequate—so it needs to be changed.) — BM, GMA Integrated News