Quezon city: Senator Francis Pangilinan met with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. to align legislative and executive priorities aimed at empowering farmers, lowering food prices, and ensuring long-term food security. Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, emphasized the shared vision for the sector between himself and Tiu-Laurel, particularly in amending the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) and strengthening direct extension services to farmers at the grassroots and municipal levels.
According to Philippines News Agency, both officials discussed immediate measures such as intervention programs to reduce rice and food prices, strengthening farmers' cooperatives, and establishing trading centers for local farmers and fisherfolk. They agreed on the urgency of passing amendments to the RTL before next year's harvest season, with Pangilinan urging Malaca±ang to certify the measure as urgent.
The senator also expressed full support for a larger budget for the Department of Agriculture, highlighting the necessity for adequate resources to implement programs effectively. He stressed the importance of monitoring public fund expenditure to ensure that the benefits directly reach the intended recipients.
Pangilinan plans to open committee hearings in the next two months on a series of agricultural issues, anchored on resolutions he previously filed.