Despite dedicating decades to feeding the nation, three elderly Filipino farmers remain trapped in poverty and debt under an agriculture system that Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said must be completely overhauled.

In an interview on Manila Bulletin’s newest video podcast “The Sit Down,” Pangilinan called for urgent reforms to the country’s agriculture system to better support farmers like them.

The three farmers, two in their 80s and one nearing that age, have spent their lives cultivating the land but remain financially strained. 

Their story sheds light on the deep-rooted problems affecting many Filipino farmers, such as low prices, exploitation by middlemen, limited access to modern technology, and lack of government support.

“So they've been feeding us for 186 years, and yet they're still poor. And they're still in debt. And what kind of society allows that? They fed us for 186 years, and in return, we just say, that's how you are,” Pangilinan said.

“We are very proud of our produce. In fact, that's how farmers are. And I've realized this. It's the traders and middlemen who don't really care about the quality per se. They have invested in it in terms of taking care of the crops. But the farmer, his honor is in his produce,” Pangilinan explained.

To address these issues, Pangilinan has pushed for laws allowing local governments and agencies to buy directly from farmers, getting rid of exploitative middlemen and helping ensure farmers receive fair prices.

He pointed to a successful pilot project in Muntinlupa, where the local government purchased vegetables from Nueva Ecija farmers at ₱25 per kilo, far above the usual market price of ₱4 per kilo.

“They bought five tons at ₱25, which is six times the income of farmers while still keeping prices affordable for consumers,” he said.

Pangilinan also highlighted how increased income for farmers positively affects rural economies, benefiting sari-sari stores, public transportation, and even entertainment venues like karaoke bars.

His wife, megastar Sharon Cuneta, shares his passion for farming. Together, they own Sweet Spring Country Farm in Alfonso, Cavite, where they practice sustainable and organic agriculture. 

For them, farming is not just a business, but a way of life that they have passed on to their children.

Cuneta also recalled one of the elderly farmers they met in Pampanga.

“He's a farmer in Pampanga. And yesterday, we were just saying, we got word that he got sick. And he would escape to go to his bukid (farm),” she said.

“Because he’s pretty much retired. His family, his daughter-in-law, told us that he actually dreams about farming. And that’s also why we went into farming. After realizing the challenges that farmers go through, I said, unless I do it myself [I won’t truly understand],” Pangilinan added.

Cuneta shared a touching moment during one of Pangilinan’s political campaigns when these farmers showed their support.

“When certain politicians wouldn’t, they surprised him. They went to a particular sortie, and on stage, tinaas yung kamay nito (they raised his hand). I was crying. It was so touching,” she said.

The couple also voiced concern about the aging farming population and young Filipinos’ reluctance to pursue agriculture.

“The average age of farmers is now 57,” Cuneta pointed out. “Many don’t want to get into farming anymore.”

Pangilinan cited examples from Taiwan and Malaysia, where farmers’ incomes have increased significantly through reforms, making farming a respected and viable livelihood. 

He believes the Philippines can achieve the same with systemic changes.

He also lamented that many rice farmers earn only ₱40,000 to ₱50,000 per hectare per harvest, barely enough to support a family after months of hard labor.

“We must give them the capacity to mill and sell it on their own,” he said.

Pangilinan’s legislative work includes a law that allows local governments to purchase directly from farmers, as well as a law providing free breakfast for public school students, which requires schools to buy food directly from local farmers.

“It’s about creating sustainable demand and supply, and ensuring that government food programs truly support our farmers,” Cuneta said.

Pangilinan said the story of the three elderly farmers highlights the urgent need to overhaul the agriculture system to better honor their dedication and provide them with a dignified livelihood.

As the senator said, “Unless we overhaul the exploitative, corrupt system of agriculture in the country, which we inherited, we will never modernize.”

Watch the full interview on Manila Bulletin’s newest video podcast “The Sit Down” to listen more about Pangilinan and Cuneta’s farming journey, legislative work, and their heartfelt commitment to Filipino farmers and the future of agriculture. Stream it on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEj5dGnfJoM

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2KBXh24GAGcl2fvkezw8T7?si=T4I6-oxKRwGz7O1wvgCHww