Manila: Senator Francis Pangilinan on Friday urged the Department of Health (DOH) to fully implement the law requiring all public hospitals to purchase their food directly from local farmers and fisherfolk. The call aims to support agricultural workers and ensure a stable market for their produce.

According to Philippines News Agency, Pangilinan was referring to Republic Act 11321, also known as the Sagip Saka Act, which he authored in 2019. The act seeks to uplift the lives of agricultural workers by guaranteeing market access through direct government procurement. Pangilinan emphasized that the law's intent is to position the government as the largest and most reliable buyer of local produce, thereby ensuring income for producers and nutrition for communities.

During a meeting on July 8, Pangilinan mentioned that Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa had committed to issuing a department order for the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act. Across the country, there are 60 public hospitals, each operating a canteen or cafeteria, which could potentially source their food directly from local farmers.

Pangilinan also expressed his intention to discuss the enactment of the Sagip Saka Act with various agencies and local governments. He highlighted the importance of their full participation to ensure that the law's intended beneficiaries-farmers and fisherfolk-can reap the rewards. "Saan nila binibili ang kanilang pagkain araw-araw? Dapat may porsyento niyan direkta ang bili sa mga magsasaka (Where do they buy their daily food? A percentage of that should be directly sourced from farmers)," Pangilinan stated.

Moreover, Pangilinan issued a warning that he plans to defer the budget approval of agencies that cannot present a concrete plan for implementing the Sagip Saka Act. His stance underscores the urgency and importance of adhering to the law to support local agricultural communities.