Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday, Feb, 18 vowed to push for measures that will boost the development of the agriculture sector if and when she gains a new term in the chamber.

This, as she felt humbled by the support committed by two farmers groups to her reelection bid in the Senate.

Backing the opposition candidate were farmers' groups Magsasaka Party-list and the Federation of Free Farmers.

"Higit sa pasasalamat ay ang pangako kong makikipagtulungan sa mga magsasaka, mangingisda at kanilang mga pamilya na mapaunlad ang agrikultura para makapagbigay ng disenteng hanapbuhay at food security sa bansa (Aside from my gratitude, I'd like to express my commitment to help the farmers and fisherfolk and their families to develop the agriculture sector in order to give them decent jobs and food security)," she said.

Hontiveros, known for advancing the rights and welfare of farmers, filed a resolution urging the review of the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law. She also called for the recall of the executive order lowering tariffs on imported rice.

The lady lawmaker then pledged to work closely with farmers' and fishers' groups to come up with safety nets and advance policy measures that will enhance the competitiveness of domestic agriculture production and lessen reliance on food importation.

"Panghuli dapat ang importation sa listahan ng options. Unahing palakasin ang sariling atin. Ang pag-aalaga sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda ay pagpapayabong sa industriya ng agrikultura (Importation should be our last option. We must strengthen our own industry by taking care of our farmers and fisherfolks)," she said.

"Government must invest in agriculture—in our farmers and fisherfolk—to make our local production sustainable, efficient and competitive and at the same time, help uplift their lives, and for agriculture to fulfill its role in driving the economy toward recovery and development toward building back a better world," she added.