Kiko anchors senatorial bid on food security

Local

FORMER senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan is placing food security at the center of his senate comeback, unveiling a legislative agenda during his visit to Cebu that targets hunger, supports farmers, and promotes urban farming.

In a press conference on Thursday, April 10, Pangilinan emphasized that the fight against hunger goes beyond politics and should be treated as a fundamental issue affecting every Filipino household.

Meeting with Cebu Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia, Pangilinan reiterated his call for a “food revolution,” describing it as a nationwide campaign to ensure all Filipinos have access to affordable, safe, and sufficient food.

“Walang kulay ang gutom at walang kulay ang solusyon. Ang rebolusyong ito ay hindi tungkol sa pulitika. Ito ay tungkol sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino," Pangilinan said.

"Hindi tayo papayag na maging normal ang gutom sa Pilipinas. Hindi dapat maging pribilehiyo ang pagkain, karapatan ito ng bawat Pilipino! Tayo mismo ang kikilos para itulak ang pagbabago,” he added.

Among the measures Pangilinan intends to file are the Batas sa Murang Pagkain Act, the Food Sovereignty and Farmers’ Protection Act, the Expanded Feeding Program for Public Schools Act, and the Urban and Community Farming Act.

The Batas sa Murang Pagkain Act focuses on lowering the prices of basic commodities by establishing a national food buffer stock, regulating trade practices, and providing subsidies for production and distribution.

To protect the interests of local food producers, the Food Sovereignty and Farmers’ Protection Act seeks to curb excessive importation, set up a trust fund for farmers and fisherfolk, and reinforce laws against smuggling and hoarding by cartels.

The Expanded Feeding Program for Public Schools Act aims to eliminate child hunger through a nationwide school-based feeding initiative that uses food sourced directly from local producers.

The proposal also includes the establishment of community food hubs to support the program.

Meanwhile, the Urban and Community Farming Act is designed to promote household and community-based agriculture by offering training, seed grants, and incentives for rooftop and backyard gardening.

The bill encourages the conversion of idle public land into productive farms and supports high-density farming techniques like hydroponics and vertical farming.

As food security secretary from 2014 to 2015 under the late President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III, Pangilinan helped lower rice prices by as much as and reduced rice inflation from 15 percent to 0.8 percent, contributing to a record-low national inflation rate.

He also authored the Sagip Saka Act, which enables government agencies to buy produce directly from farmers without going through public bidding, ensuring more income for local agricultural workers.

Pangilinan, who ran for vice president in 2022 alongside then-presidential candidate Leni Robredo, also addressed civil rights during the press conference.

He said he supports civil unions for same-sex couples, noting that while marriage has religious and civil aspects, the law should guarantee equal rights regardless of sexual orientation.

His Cebu stop is part of a broader effort to reconnect with communities as he campaigns for a return to the Senate in the 2025 elections.

Pangilinan is scheduled to appear in towns and cities in northern Cebu and meet with local leaders there, as part of his "Sugbo Caravan."(MyTVCebu)