Senator Kiko Pangilinan is demanding the names of allegedly abusive middlemen and traders whose unscrupulous practices further impoverish farmers and fisherfolk, threatening the country’s food security.
During the joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform with the Committees on Local Government and Ways and Means at the Philippine Carabao Center in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Pangilinan challenged municipal officers of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to disclose the names of abusive traders and middlemen.
Onion farmers from Nueva Ecija, Mindoro, and Pangasinan were able to present their grievances directly to the committee, voicing concerns over exploitation and unfair market practices.
The veteran legislator assured the farmers that, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, he is in a position to directly investigate these issues and pursue accountability against those who abuse them.
“Kung may impormasyon sila tungkol nga dito sa pang-aabuso at pagsasamantala, ibigay sa atin.”
“Ang panawagan din natin, kung may impormasyon sila tungkol nga dito sa pang-aabuso at pagsasamantala, ibigay sa atin. Nabanggit nga kanina, kilala raw ng mga Municipal Agriculture Officers kung sino ang mga trader nito,” the seasoned lawmaker said during a post-media interview after the hearing. “Ibigay sa atin ang pangalan; ipapatawag natin para magpaliwanag.”
Pangilinan, who has long championed the protection of farmers and fisherfolk, also pledged to continue investigating the sharp decline in farm-gate prices of onions.
“Babantayin natin ang industriya ng sibuyas para matiyak na mabilis ang aksyon at hindi natutulog sa pansitan ng gobyerno.”
“Ang maliwanag dito, hindi natin pababayaan itong isyu na ito. Babantayin natin ang industriya ng sibuyas para matiyak na mabilis ang aksyon at hindi natutulog sa pansitan ng gobyerno sa usapin natin,” the senator pointed out.
He is likewise looking into reports that farmers have no access to cold storage facilities because operators have been working in cahoots with unscrupulous traders and middlemen.
“Kaya ko nga kinuha at hiningi yung mga pangalan nung mga cold storage operators. Ipapatawag din natin sila, pag papaliwanagin natin sila doon sa mga paratang na may mga kasabwat para hindi mabigyan ng espasyo ang mga magsasaka dahil inuuna nila ang mga trader,” Pangilinan said.
He shared that some cold storage operators are deliberately blocking farmers from using the facilities to store their harvests, forcing them to sell their produce at lower prices.
Pangilinan further underscored the necessity of comprehensive data collection on onion production and supply, noting that such information is vital in determining whether continued importation remains warranted.
Upon assuming office last year, he initiated a thorough inquiry into the pervasive importation and smuggling of agricultural commodities. Pangilinan underscored that these unlawful practices not only exploit the nation’s farmers and fisherfolk but also obstruct the advancement of rural communities and imperil the country’s overall food security.
