Marcos ready to certify Agriculture Cooperatives Act as urgent
PCO photo
President Marcos has expressed readiness to certify as urgent the proposed Agriculture Cooperatives Act of 2025, as part of efforts to strengthen support for Filipino farmers and fisherfolk.
In a post on Facebook on Wednesday, March 4, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the measure is among several agricultural reforms being pushed to boost incomes and provide stronger institutional support to the agriculture sector.
“Ipinahayag ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang kahandaang i-certify bilang urgent ang Agriculture Cooperatives Act of 2025 upang mapabilis ang pagpapatupad nito (President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed readiness to certify the Agriculture Cooperatives Act of 2025 as urgent to expedite its implementation),” it said.
The Palace said the government is also continuing to study and refine proposed amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law.
“Kasabay ng patuloy na pag-aaral at pagsasaayos sa mga panukalang amendments sa Rice Tariffication Law. Target na maaprubahan ang mga panukala sa lalong madaling panahon (Alongside the ongoing review and refinement of proposed amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law, the goal is ot secure approval of the measures as soon as possible),” it added.
Strengthening farmers’ support systems
The proposed Agriculture Cooperatives Act of 2025 seeks to strengthen agricultural cooperatives to help farmers and fisherfolk access financing, markets, technology, and government support programs.
The measure aims to improve productivity and profitability in the agriculture sector by promoting stronger farmer organizations that can collectively purchase inputs, process agricultural products, and negotiate better prices in the market.
It is part of a broader package of proposed reforms that includes the AGRICOM Act and the Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act.
The reforms aim to raise farmers’ incomes and improve agricultural services, while enhancing support systems for producers across the country.
The administration is likewise reviewing amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law, which liberalized rice importation while creating the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to support local rice farmers.
Proposals to amend the law have focused on strengthening safeguards for farmers, improving price stability, and ensuring that government interventions help sustain domestic rice production.