By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday emphasized the need to implement the Sagip Saka Act and establish a congressional commission on agriculture (AGRICOM) to ensure food security and affordability in the country.
Marcos made the statement after meeting with select Cabinet officials and lawmakers at Malacañan Palace in Manila.
“Sagip Saka Act at AGRICOM, aarangkada na para sa mas murang pagkain at sapat na kita para sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda,” he said in a Facebook post.
The meeting was attended by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Department of Agriculture (D.A.) Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and Agrarian Reform Sec. Conrado Estrella III, based on the photos shared by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on its official Facebook page.
Also present were Sen. Francis Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform; Apayao Lone District Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, chair of the House Committee on Agrarian Reform; and Quezon 1st District Rep. Mark Enverga, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food.
In a statement, the PCO said Marcos led the discussion on the implementation of the Sagip Saka Act to ensure direct purchase of produce and support for farmers.
The expansion of extension services from the D.A. and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) was also discussed, the PCO added.
“Layon ng D.A. na magpadala ng 6,000 staff sa mga rehiyon para tulungan ang mga magsasaka sa makabagong teknolohiya at serbisyo at iba pang extension services,” it said.
During the meeting, Marcos also ordered the review and amendment of the Agricultural Tariffication Law to better protect local produce.
Marcos also approved the creation of AGRICOM, a commission tasked with preparing broader reforms in the agricultural sector.
EO on palay buying floor price
Marcos also ordered the DA to coordinate with Bersamin and Pangilinan’s offices for the crafting of an executive order establishing the palay buying floor price, the PCO said.
This as Marcos sought the establishment of a floor price for the purchase of palay (unhusked rice) to prevent unscrupulous traders from taking advantage of farmers during harvest season.
Pangilinan recommended setting a floor price for buying palay and engaging local government units (LGUs) in palay procurement through the Sagip Saka Act, noting that the farmgate prices of palay remain low during the peak harvest season, leaving farmers vulnerable to traders who buy their produce at lower rates.
“Marcos affirmed the strong support from LGUs for the P20 per kilo rice program and efforts to bring down rice prices. However, the President said that while the retail prices of rice are declining, farmers continue to suffer as traders purchase palay at a very low cost,” the PCO said.
Marcos ordered the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act of 2019, also known as Republic Act 11321, to support farmers and the Benteng Bigas program, which makes rice available at P20 per kilo.
Review of NFA charter
Marcos also ordered a review of the charter of the National Food Authority (NFA) to strengthen the provision on farmer support services, the PCO said.
RA 12078 extended the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) until 2031.
“The President also said that the NFA should return to its original mandate of stabilizing prices and not rely on importation, which was never part of its core function,” the PCO said.
