Manila: The Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved on third and final reading two measures designed to organize food producers into stronger cooperatives and bring technical, financial, and climate-smart support closer to farming and fishing communities. Senate Bill No. 1990, or the proposed Agricultural Cooperatives Act, and SB 1991, or the proposed Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act, each received 21 affirmative votes, with no negative votes or abstentions.
According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan, the principal author and sponsor of the measures, emphasized the importance of empowering food producers to ensure food security. SB 1990 aims to create the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Cooperatives and institutionalize government assistance in financing, equipment, technology, markets, and value-adding opportunities. It would enable cooperatives to engage in various activities such as production, processing, storage, and marketing while providing affordable financing, training, insurance, and other services to members.
Pangilinan noted that stronger cooperatives would enhance farmers' and fisherfolk's bargaining power and safeguard the country's food supply against disruptions like global fuel crises. He highlighted the significance of making food more affordable while ensuring dignified living conditions for those who feed the nation.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, also a principal author of the measure, stated that the approved version retained essential safeguards, including the PHP100-million tax-exemption threshold, preferential government procurement, and the protection of the Cooperative Development Authority's mandate. She emphasized the need for voluntary membership, participatory planning, inclusive representation, and effective digital market connections in the implementation.
Senator Loren Legarda described the cooperative measure as a social justice initiative allowing rural workers to shape their economic future through collective action. She expressed confidence in rural workers' capability to progress when organized, supported, and empowered through cooperativism.
Meanwhile, SB 1991 proposes transforming the Agricultural Training Institute into the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Extension, or BAFEx, with offices from the national to municipal levels. The bureau would offer training on production, agribusiness, value-adding, digital farming, artificial intelligence, export readiness, and climate resilience. The bill mandates at least three agriculture and fisheries extension workers in every municipality, providing them with training, scholarships, career pathways, and benefits, including hazard and subsistence allowances.
Legarda emphasized recognizing extension workers as the bridge between research and actual farm production while institutionalizing the farmer-to-farmer approach. Senator Joel Villanueva mentioned that Senate amendments strengthened transparency, performance targets, congressional oversight, and safeguards for workers affected by the institutional transition. He noted that coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority would expand skills-development opportunities for farmers, fisherfolk, and extension personnel.
SB 1991 allocates at least PHP10 billion or 1 percent of the gross value added in agriculture and fisheries, whichever is higher, for its annual implementation. The twin measures will be transmitted to the House of Representatives for its concurrence.
