News Details

DA, Senate strengthen partnership to push food security, farmer empowerment

NPO

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August 17, 2025

MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan have aligned legislative and executive priorities to boost farmer support, stabilize food prices, and advance long-term food security programs.

In a meeting at the Department of Agriculture (DA) central office in Quezon City on Monday, Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, said he and Tiu-Laurel share the same vision for agricultural development—particularly in amending the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) and strengthening direct extension services for farmers at the grassroots level.

“Secretary Kiko and I are aligned not just in name, but in priorities for the agriculture sector,” Pangilinan said after the meeting.

Among the urgent measures discussed were:

• Reducing rice and food prices through targeted intervention programs,

• Strengthening farmers’ cooperatives for better market access, and

• Establishing trading centers for local farmers and fisherfolk.

Both officials emphasized that amendments to the RTL should be enacted before next year’s harvest season, with Pangilinan urging Malacañang to certify the measure as urgent.

The senator also reiterated his support for an expanded DA budget, stressing the importance of ensuring that public funds are properly spent to directly benefit farmers and fisherfolk.

“We must safeguard public spending to make sure resources reach their intended beneficiaries,” he said.

Pangilinan will soon convene committee hearings on key agricultural issues based on resolutions he earlier filed, further strengthening collaboration between the legislative and executive branches in pursuit of food security.

NPO News Team I PNA-PR