In his last full year as a lawmaker, vice presidential aspirant Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan on Friday, Dec. 31 said he continues to serve the interests of Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, and the agriculture sector through his legislative work amid the challenges and difficulties brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the height of the price increase of basic commodities in January, Pangilinan said he immediately called on the national government to strictly monitor the same to ensure that all Filipinos would be able to afford food for their families.
He attributed the price increase to the negative effects of importing products, thus advocating to strengthen support for local farmers.
“Kailangang mapasigla pa natin ang kabuhayan ng ating magsasaka para mas ganado silang magtanim (The lives of our farmers must be improved so that they would be more active in farming). At kapag mas marami silang ani, mas mababa ang presyo ng mga bilihin sa palengke (When they produce more, prices at the markets will go down),” Pangilinan said.
Because of the continuous spike in food prices, the former food security secretary then filed Senate Resolution 618 that sought to address the problem at hand by identifying interventions that would help stabilize and lower prices.
But after learning about food price manipulators at a Senate hearing in February as the culprit to the hike, Pangilinan emphasized the need to apprehend these individuals as their terrible schemes affect the majority of Filipinos.
“Dapat sampolan ang nagsasamantala (Profiteers must be penalized). Sa ilalim ng Price Act, hanggang 1 milyong piso ang maaring multa sa mga lumalabag sa batas na ito (Under the Price Act, violators face fines up to P1 million.) Dapat i-deputize ang NBI at PNP-CIDG at habulin yung mga nabanggit ni Secretary William Dar na nagsasamantala (The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) should be deputized and go after those named by Agriculture Secretary William Dar),” Pangilinan said.
During the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in March, meanwhile, Pangilinan lobbied – through Senate Resolution No. 676 – for a declaration of a state of calamity to aid hog growers recover from the devastating effects of said hog disease.
In April, when faced with the possibility of stricter lockdowns due to rising Covid-19 cases, Pangilinan pressed the national government to release funds for financial assistance to families who will again be greatly affected by lockdowns.
Pangilinan also suggested that the government purchase food “ayuda” (assistance) from local farmers and fisherfolk in order for the government to hit two birds with one stone: one in helping poor Filipino families, and two, providing additional income to the agriculture sector.
As author of Sagip Saka Act which became law in 2019, Pangilinan said the measure
Sagip Saka Act aims higher incomes for farmers and fisherfolk through enterprise development and direct purchases by government agencies, LGUs, and the private sector.
Apart from his pro-agriculture sector advocacies in the Senate this year, Pangilinan also spoke sharply on several issues, including the West Philippine Sea dispute, the brazen killings of lawyers, the need for the youth to register and vote for the upcoming national elections, the Senate hearing on the Pharmally fiasco, among others.
Although he has some reservations due to a number of changes in some of the law’s provisions, one of Pangilinan’s big wins this year is the passage of Republic Act 11524, otherwise known as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act.
“This is the fruit of almost half a century of struggle against the injustice suffered by our coconut farmers. Our coconut farmers and their families must now reap the benefits of their hard-earned money,” Pangilinan said.
“Yes, I have mixed feelings about the law. Having said that, we will guard, we will be vigilant, and we will continue to see how this is going to be implemented,” he added.
This year also posed challenges on Pangilinan’s personal life, in particular involving his being a husband, after two YouTube channels released malicious videos accusing him of committing domestic violence against his wife, Sharon.
As the allegations were baseless and unfounded, the lawmaker requested YouTube to take down the videos but was ignored, prompting him to file cybercrime cases against Google Philippines and the owners behind the videos.
“There is obviously a gap somewhere. This needs to stop. Social media sites need to step up and be more responsive to reports and more especially to legal complaints. These are harmful to individuals and to families,” Pangilinan said.
“Ang pamilya ko ang buhay ko (My family is my life) Gagawin ko ang lahat para protektahan sila (I will do everything to protect them),” he added.
But despite the trials this year both in his personal and political life, Pangilinan still chooses to see the silver lining, saying there are various reasons to be optimistic come 2022.
“Napalaking hamon ng 2021 para sa ating lahat (The year 2021 is a big test for us). Sunod-sunod ang mga pagsubok sa atin (A succession of tests hit us). Humabol pa si Odette (Super typhoon ‘’Odette’’ followed). Meron tayong mga mahal sa buhay na iniwan na tayo (We have lost some of our love ones). Mas mahirap ang kumita (Livelihood became difficult). Naging parusa ang online learning at working (Working and on-line learning is a also difficult). Nagkalat ng basura sa internet (The internet is full of trash),” Pangilinan said.
“Haharapin natin ang 2022 nang may pag-asa (We shall face 2022 full of hope). Gagawin natin ang lahat para tuparin ang sinumpaang tungkulin na maglingkod nang tapat at totoo dahil dapat lahat may sapat, masustansya at masarap na pagkain(We should do be true to our objectives ..to serve the people and all shall have enough and nutritious food). Dapat lahat malusog ang bulsa, katawan, at kaluluwa (All shall have full pockets, healthy bodies and spirit),” he added.
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In his last full year as a lawmaker, vice presidential aspirant Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan on Friday, Dec. 31 said he continues to serve the interests of Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, and the agriculture sector through his legislative work amid the challenges and difficulties brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the height of the price increase of basic commodities in January, Pangilinan said he immediately called on the national government to strictly monitor the same to ensure that all Filipinos would be able to afford food for their families.
He attributed the price increase to the negative effects of importing products, thus advocating to strengthen support for local farmers.
“Kailangang mapasigla pa natin ang kabuhayan ng ating magsasaka para mas ganado silang magtanim (The lives of our farmers must be improved so that they would be more active in farming). At kapag mas marami silang ani, mas mababa ang presyo ng mga bilihin sa palengke (When they produce more, prices at the markets will go down),” Pangilinan said.
Because of the continuous spike in food prices, the former food security secretary then filed Senate Resolution 618 that sought to address the problem at hand by identifying interventions that would help stabilize and lower prices.
But after learning about food price manipulators at a Senate hearing in February as the culprit to the hike, Pangilinan emphasized the need to apprehend these individuals as their terrible schemes affect the majority of Filipinos.
“Dapat sampolan ang nagsasamantala (Profiteers must be penalized). Sa ilalim ng Price Act, hanggang 1 milyong piso ang maaring multa sa mga lumalabag sa batas na ito (Under the Price Act, violators face fines up to P1 million.) Dapat i-deputize ang NBI at PNP-CIDG at habulin yung mga nabanggit ni Secretary William Dar na nagsasamantala (The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) should be deputized and go after those named by Agriculture Secretary William Dar),” Pangilinan said.
During the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in March, meanwhile, Pangilinan lobbied – through Senate Resolution No. 676 – for a declaration of a state of calamity to aid hog growers recover from the devastating effects of said hog disease.
In April, when faced with the possibility of stricter lockdowns due to rising Covid-19 cases, Pangilinan pressed the national government to release funds for financial assistance to families who will again be greatly affected by lockdowns.
Pangilinan also suggested that the government purchase food “ayuda” (assistance) from local farmers and fisherfolk in order for the government to hit two birds with one stone: one in helping poor Filipino families, and two, providing additional income to the agriculture sector.
As author of Sagip Saka Act which became law in 2019, Pangilinan said the measure
Sagip Saka Act aims higher incomes for farmers and fisherfolk through enterprise development and direct purchases by government agencies, LGUs, and the private sector.
Apart from his pro-agriculture sector advocacies in the Senate this year, Pangilinan also spoke sharply on several issues, including the West Philippine Sea dispute, the brazen killings of lawyers, the need for the youth to register and vote for the upcoming national elections, the Senate hearing on the Pharmally fiasco, among others.
Although he has some reservations due to a number of changes in some of the law’s provisions, one of Pangilinan’s big wins this year is the passage of Republic Act 11524, otherwise known as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act.
“This is the fruit of almost half a century of struggle against the injustice suffered by our coconut farmers. Our coconut farmers and their families must now reap the benefits of their hard-earned money,” Pangilinan said.
“Yes, I have mixed feelings about the law. Having said that, we will guard, we will be vigilant, and we will continue to see how this is going to be implemented,” he added.
This year also posed challenges on Pangilinan’s personal life, in particular involving his being a husband, after two YouTube channels released malicious videos accusing him of committing domestic violence against his wife, Sharon.
As the allegations were baseless and unfounded, the lawmaker requested YouTube to take down the videos but was ignored, prompting him to file cybercrime cases against Google Philippines and the owners behind the videos.
“There is obviously a gap somewhere. This needs to stop. Social media sites need to step up and be more responsive to reports and more especially to legal complaints. These are harmful to individuals and to families,” Pangilinan said.
“Ang pamilya ko ang buhay ko (My family is my life) Gagawin ko ang lahat para protektahan sila (I will do everything to protect them),” he added.
But despite the trials this year both in his personal and political life, Pangilinan still chooses to see the silver lining, saying there are various reasons to be optimistic come 2022.
“Napalaking hamon ng 2021 para sa ating lahat (The year 2021 is a big test for us). Sunod-sunod ang mga pagsubok sa atin (A succession of tests hit us). Humabol pa si Odette (Super typhoon ‘’Odette’’ followed). Meron tayong mga mahal sa buhay na iniwan na tayo (We have lost some of our love ones). Mas mahirap ang kumita (Livelihood became difficult). Naging parusa ang online learning at working (Working and on-line learning is a also difficult). Nagkalat ng basura sa internet (The internet is full of trash),” Pangilinan said.
“Haharapin natin ang 2022 nang may pag-asa (We shall face 2022 full of hope). Gagawin natin ang lahat para tuparin ang sinumpaang tungkulin na maglingkod nang tapat at totoo dahil dapat lahat may sapat, masustansya at masarap na pagkain(We should do be true to our objectives ..to serve the people and all shall have enough and nutritious food). Dapat lahat malusog ang bulsa, katawan, at kaluluwa (All shall have full pockets, healthy bodies and spirit),” he added.
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