Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Sunday, July 6 urged the National Food Authority (NFA) and local government units (LGUs) to immediately buy palay and other produce directly from Filipino farmers at fair market prices.

Pangilinan made the appeal following reports that palay is now being bought at just ₱13 per kilo in some areas.

“₱13 kada kilo ang palay? Eh nasa ₱14–₱15 ang gastos sa produksyon. Ibig sabihin, bawat kilo, lugi ang magsasaka (P13 per kilo of rice? But the cost of productionis already at P14 to P15. This means that for every kilo, the farmer loses),” Pangilinan noted.

“Hindi tama. Hindi makatao. Hindi makatarungan (It's not right. It's not humane. It's not fair),” Pangilinan said.

The senator said the NFA should buy massively and directly from rice farmers to prevent further losses.

Meanwhile, LGUs should activate RA 11321 or the Sagip Saka Law, which allows them to procure directly from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.

“Kung hindi pa handa ang NFA (If the NFA isn’t ready), LGUs should step in. May batas. May paraan. May pondo (There’s a law. There’s a way),” he pointed out.

“Gamitin ang Sagip Saka para makabili ng bigas, gulay, at iba pang ani—presyong makatarungan, hindi presyong palugi (Use the Sagip Saka so they can buy rice, vegetables and other harvested crops—in price that’s justified and not incurring losses),” he added.

He further explained that the Sagip Saka Law can be used to purchase food for school feeding programs, food packs, relief goods, and other government supply needs—while ensuring that farmers earn a decent income.

“Imbes na middleman ang kumikita, diretso na sa magsasaka ang kita. Mas mura para sa gobyerno, mas malaki para sa nagtanim. Panalo lahat,” he said.

The senator also warned that if the government fails to act, more farmers may stop planting altogether—putting the country’s food supply at risk.

“Kapag nalugi ang magsasaka, hindi na ‘yan magtatanim ulit. At kapag walang nagtanim, walang aanihin. Kapag tumigil sila, gutom ang kasunod (When a farmer loses, he won't plant again. And when no one plants, there will be no harvest. When they stop, hunger will follow),” he pointed out.

Pangilinan also renewed his proposal for a permanent buffer fund to protect farmers against price crashes.

Likewise, he also called for stronger coordination between the Department of Agriculture (DA), NFA, and LGUs during harvest seasons.

“Walang kulay ang gutom. Walang kulay ang solusyon. Pero dapat may kinikilingan tayo—ang magsasakang Pilipino. ‘Pag sila nalugi, buong bansa ang talo (Hunger has no color. The solution has no color. But we must have a bias—the Filipino farmer. ‘If they lose, the entire country loses),” he said.