Manila: Two agricultural reform bills will seek to lower food prices, strengthen food security, and provide greater support to farmers and fisherfolk.
According to Philippines News Agency, Senate Bill No. 1991 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act and Senate Bill No. 1990 or the Agricultural Cooperatives Act have already been approved by the Senate on second reading, as announced by Senator Francis Pangilinan in a news release on Monday.
Pangilinan said the proposed laws aim to improve farm productivity, make food more affordable for Filipino families, and create a more efficient food supply chain. One of the measures seeks to renationalize agricultural extension services to give farmers, fisherfolk, and other agricultural stakeholders better access to science-based farming technologies, climate-resilient production methods, research, training, and technical assistance.
The bill also aims to strengthen coordination among national government agencies, state universities and colleges, local government units, and the private sector to ensure that agricultural innovations and support services reach farming communities. Pangilinan stated that improved extension services would help increase crop yields, reduce production costs, promote climate resilience, and boost sustainable food production.
"Ang solusyon sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin ay naka-angkla sa suportang ibinibigay natin sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Hindi pwede na patuloy tayong umasa sa mga imported na produkto (The solution to high food prices lies in the support we give our farmers and fisherfolk. We cannot continue relying on imported products)," Pangilinan said in a statement.
The second bill seeks to reestablish the Bureau of Agricultural Cooperatives to strengthen farmers' and fisherfolk's cooperatives. The measure aims to improve their access to financing, post-harvest facilities, processing equipment, storage, transportation, and markets. Pangilinan said stronger cooperatives would give farmers greater bargaining power, reduce their dependence on middlemen, and allow them to benefit from economies of scale.
He also expressed hope that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. would include the twin measures among the priority bills of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council. "It is in our best interest that we build a productive, competitive, and resilient food system. Passing these twin measures -- the agricultural extension services and the reestablishment of the Bureau of Agricultural Cooperatives -- is an investment in our country's food security," Pangilinan said.
