Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has hailed organic agriculture as a vital public health strategy to address the growing incidence of respiratory and lifestyle diseases among Filipinos.

Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan opposes the proposal of lowering the age of criminal responsibility for heinous crimes, expressing his strong belief that the problem is in the implementation of the law. Pangilinan said the solution to the problem of juvenile delinquencies is not by amending the existing law (Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act or Republic Act 9344) but by proper implementation. (Senate PRIB photo)

Pangilinan, in his speech at the 7th PH Natural & Organic Products Expo (PNOPEX) and the 11th Organic Agriculture Month kick-off, emphasized how naturally grown produce helps reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and promotes healthier communities.

At the same time, the senator reaffirmed his advocacy for strengthening organic farming as a science-driven and people-centered approach that safeguards both farmers and consumers.

“The nutrients, the vitamins, the minerals, and of course the enzymes with the sweet taste are also there. We know that organic is not only nutritious, it is also tastier,” Pangilinan said.

Himself a long-time organic farmer, the lawmaker shared how his experience managing a learning site in Cavite shaped his belief that healthy soil and chemical-free produce directly contribute to the well-being of families and communities.

“To ensure the health of my children – I started organic vegetable farming,” he said.

Moreover, Pangilinan said organic agriculture not only improves health outcomes but also enhances the livelihoods of farmers by reducing input costs and increasing market value.

He also noted how the domestic organic market has expanded to billions of pesos, as more communities embrace organic farming and farmers gain the skills to cultivate sustainably.

As author of the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, Pangilinan also highlighted the role of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), a community-based certification institutionalized under the said law.

He said the PGS eliminates the costly process of third-party certification and enables small farmers to access local markets more easily, strengthening grassroots participation and ensuring credibility in organic production.

Pangilinan also noted the need to protect the soil and ecosystems that sustain agriculture.

“If too many chemicals are used, such as pesticides and fertilizers, the soil will die. And when the soil is dead, the entire ecosystem will be affected,” he warned.

The lawmaker also said it is imperative for both national and local governments to intensify their commitment to organic agriculture by expanding support systems, invest in farmer training, and institutionalize programs that will make organic farming more accessible and sustainable across communities

“Let's visit our organic farms and let us know how we can continue to support our country's high-value crops sector,” Pangilinan said.