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. …
