Manila: Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan has taken a significant step by filing a series of Senate resolutions aimed at conducting a thorough legislative review of key agriculture and fisheries policies. The senator emphasized the necessity for reforms to ensure that farmers and fisherfolk are adequately supported and not left behind.
According to Philippines News Agency, the resolutions are part of the second batch of Pangilinan's legislative priorities for the 20th Congress. They focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the Sagip Saka Act, the impact of the Rice Tariffication Law, and the implications of permitting commercial fishing in municipal waters, traditionally reserved for small-scale fishers. Pangilinan highlighted that these issues were brought to his attention by farmers and fisherfolk during his campaign, underscoring the need to ensure that existing laws are genuinely benefiting them.
The first resolution targets an investigation into the implementation status of the Sagip Saka Act, a 2019 law authored by Pangilinan. The act was designed to connect farmers and fisherfolk directly with markets, particularly government procurement. However, some local government units have yet to fully enact the law, prompting the senator to seek a review.
The second resolution calls for the Senate to revisit the Rice Tariffication Law. This includes considering the restoration of the National Food Authority's regulatory and market intervention powers, amidst ongoing concerns about unstable rice prices and the law's impact on local palay producers.
A third resolution aims to assess the consequences of allowing commercial fishing within the 15-kilometer municipal waters. This zone has traditionally been reserved for small-scale fisherfolk, and complaints from coastal communities have raised questions about whether policy changes are undermining their livelihoods and rights.
Pangilinan reiterated that these are not merely policy issues but affect the daily lives and incomes of the most vulnerable workers. He emphasized that the resolutions align with his campaign promise to champion food security, farmer and fisher welfare, and pro-poor policy reforms.
In addition to the resolutions, the senator has introduced a new set of bills focused on political dynasty prevention, bank deposit transparency, land use planning, and environmental protection. However, Pangilinan stressed that the primary goal of the resolutions is to hold the government accountable for the implementation and impact of existing laws.
