Kiko Pangilinan Backs Agricultural Boost but Warns: “Dapat May Kasamang Aksyon at Resulta”

Senator Kiko Pangilinan expressed full support for the administration’s renewed focus on agriculture during #SONA2025, but cautioned that without concrete action and transparent fund usage, promises will fall flat.

“SUPORTADO NATIN ANG PANAWAGANG PALAKASIN ANG AGRIKULTURA PERO DAPAT MAY KASAMANG KONKRETONG AKSYON AT RESULTA,” Pangilinan declared in a post following the President’s address.

As a former food security secretary and now a returning senator, Pangilinan underscored the need for proper fund utilization in Department of Agriculture programs to ensure that taxpayer money truly benefits farmers and fisherfolk—and doesn’t fall into the hands of corrupt officials.

He vowed to closely monitor the proposed ₱113 billion agri budget, warning against repeat scenarios like in the 2025 national budget, where allocations for education were cut to accommodate infrastructure projects.

“Sana huwag nang maulit ang pagkaltas sa mahahalagang sektor,” he said.

The senator also emphasized the untapped potential of the ₱200 billion allocation under the Sagip Saka Act, which enables direct government purchases from farmers and fisherfolk—an approach he said remains underutilized.

“Kung gusto nating tiyakin ang abot-kayang pagkain, dapat tiyakin din ang suporta sa mga nagtatanim at nangingisda,” he stressed, listing critical needs such as access to credit, infrastructure, climate resilience, and disaster relief.

Pangilinan concluded with a pointed reminder: “Maganda ang mga pangako, pero ang sukatan ay kung natutupad ito para sa kapakanan ng mga nagtatanim at nangingisda para sa ating hapag.”

📷: Kiko Pangilinan

Kiko Pangilinan backs agricultural boost but warns: “Dapat may kasamang aksyon at resulta”