From the Committee on Agriculture public hearing, privilege speech, and back-to-back meetings with different agricultural sectors, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has wasted no time in fulfilling his campaign promise since returning to the Senate–showing diligence in examining details, grounding discussions on data, and demonstrating a deep grasp of the issues at hand. Most recently, as Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, he led the first DA pre-budget briefing last September 19, Friday, at the DA Bureau of Soil and Water Management.
After an 11-hour pre-budget briefing, Kiko stressed in an interview the importance of holding such sessions: “Well ako ang magdedefend ng budget sa Senate floor (so) kailangan ko malaman yung puno’t dulo. 23 na senador yan, makukulit yan, maraming katanungan so we really have to be sure na handa tayo,” he said. “Kaya tayo nagbabad, it’s my obligation, my duty to really know the issues so that I can defend it, and I’m very thankful na full support si Sec Kiko.” he added.
The senator commended the pre-budget briefing, noting that Secretary Kiko’s vision aligns closely with his own, as the bills he is endorsing are the same priorities that the Secretary has already put forward. In turn, Sec. Kiko welcomed working with the senator, stressing that their efforts are ultimately for farmers and fisherfolk.
Pangilinan acknowledged the tough challenges facing the agriculture sector, but stressed that these can be overcome through collective effort and cooperation: “Mabigat ang mga challenges pero walang hindi kayang lampasan kung nagtutulungan at nagkakaisa,” Kiko said. “Sabi nga there is strength in numbers so sa atin wag silang mawalan ng loob, alam ko may mga issues na mabigat pero kaya natin. Ayusin natin ang hanay ng agrikultura.” he added.
As a long-time champion of farmers and fisherfolk, Senator Kiko committed to push for a bigger budget for the agriculture sector–an industry that feeds the nation. “Lahat tayo gusto natin mababa ang presyo ng pagkain, lahat tayo gusto natin masustansyang pagkain, e lahat yan depende sa agrikultura at mangingisda. Kaya yan ang dapat tutukan ng husto.” Pangilinan said.