Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has warned that Filipinos will continue to face high food prices, hunger, and malnutrition if the agriculture sector remains inadequately funded.
He issued the warning after successfully defending the 2026 budgets of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), stressing that increased public investment is essential for food security and rural development.
“Mananatiling gutom ang ating mga kababayan at mananatiling hirap at naghihikahos ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda kung patuloy natin tatalikuran ang pangangailan ng sektor ng agrikultura,” Pangilinan said.
“Panahon na para umusad ang agriculture sector. Panahon na para pagsilbihan natin ng tama ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng tamang suporta. Panahon na para simulan natin tapusin ang kalam ng sikmura ng bawat Pilipino,” he added.
The senator lamented that agriculture has long been sidelined in national budgeting despite its central role in the economy.
Under the proposed 2026 budget, the DA and NIA will receive ₱214.02 billion for irrigation, mechanization, extension services, seedlings, post-harvest systems, and other critical interventions.
To safeguard these funds, Pangilinan introduced transparency measures, including public dashboards for irrigation projects and quarterly reporting requirements to Congress.
He emphasized that well-funded agriculture programs are essential to resolve chronic issues such as low farmer income, climate threats, supply chain gaps, and heavy import dependence.
Pangilinan said his priority legislation—from strengthening cooperatives to launching a Free Meals Program tied to local food procurement—aims to ensure that national food security becomes both achievable and sustainable.
