Senatorial candidate Kiko Pangilinan is hopeful that the Kiko-Bam campaign volunteers will not only help mobilize grassroots movement ahead of the May 2025 midterm elections but will also amplify his campaign message of food security.
Senatorial candidate Kiko Pangilinan speaks before Kiko-Bam volunteers and supporters in Bohol. (Photo from Team Kiko Pangilinan)
Pangilinan was in Bohol province on Wednesday, March 19, where he met with volunteers and key members of the Kiko-Bam Core Group over lunch at Sea Front Sepo.
During the meeting, the former senator thanked the volunteers as he recognized the vital role they play in engaging communities and raising awareness about his campaign message of “Hello Pagkain sa Mababang Presyo.“
Pangilinan stressed that his campaign for food security has no political color, and urged everyone to participate in creating policies that will uplift the lives of all.
“Ang kampanyang ito ay hindi lang tungkol sa isang kandidato—tungkol ito sa sama-samang pagkilos para sa mas abot-kayang pagkain at mas maayos na kinabukasan para sa lahat (This campaign is not about one candidate—it is about the collective action toward more affordable food and a better future for all),” he said.
“Malinaw sa atin: ang gutom, hindi namimili ng kulay. Kaya’t mas lalong kailangang ipaglaban natin ang solusyon (It is clear to us: hunger does not choose any color. That’s why it’s more important for us to fight for the solution),” the former food security czar added.
Voice of the campaign
Pangilinan, who, since becoming food security czar of the Aquino administration, pushed for solutions to the country’s food crisis, believes on the importance of direct people participation in crafting policies.
“Kayo ang boses ng kampanyang ito. Hindi lang ito laban ng mga kandidato—ito ay laban nating lahat para sa mas abot-kayang pagkain at mas magandang oportunidad para sa bawat Pilipino (You are the voice of this campaign. This is not just a fight of the candidates—it is everyone’s fight for more affordable food and better opportunities for every Filipino),” he said.
His meeting with the volunteers in Bohol also served as a strategy session, where volunteers and organizers shared their opinions on voter engagement and social media mobilization.
They also shared with the former senator some of the community-based initiatives that show an urgent need to lower prices of food.
Oplan Sagip Kamatis
Meanwhile, the former senator also announced his plans to expand the "Oplan Sagip Kamatis" to more local government units (LGUs) after its successful pilot run in Rizal, Nueva Ecija, where some 12 tons of surplus tomatoes were saved.
“Tuloy-tuloy iyan (That will continue). We are already reaching out to several LGUs to implement this initiative,” he said.
Oplan Sagip Kamatis was made possible by Pangilinan’s Sagip Saka Act, a law he authored when he was senator to allow LGUs to purchase produce directly from farmers and fisherfolk without the need for public bidding.
Through the program initiated by Pangilinan, tomato farmers were able to sell their surplus produce that would have otherwise gone to waste.
“Ito mismo ang dahilan kung bakit natin ipinasa ang Sagip Saka Act—para hindi na dumanas ng kawalan ang ating mga magsasaka (This is the reason why we passed the Sagip Saka Act—so our farmers will not be at a loss),” he said.
“Dahil sa batas na ito, puwede nang bumili ang mga LGU nang direkta sa ating farmers at fisherfolk. Wala nang bidding, walang middleman, kaya mas mataas ang kita ng mga magsasaka (This law allows LGUs to buy directly from our farmers and fisherfolk. There is no need for bidding, no middleman, so farmers will have higher revenues).”