Amid fuel hikes, calamities, and food security concerns, Senator Kiko Pangilinan welcomed the issuance of Executive Orders 100 and 101, as well as the government’s continued rice import ban and the impending increase in rice tariffs as timely lifelines for Filipino farmers, fishers, and consumers.
“Napapanahong sagip-buhay ang mga hakbang na ito para sa mga Pilipinong magsasaka, mangingisda, at mga mamimili sa gitna ng pagtaas ng fuel prices at sunud-sunod na kalamidad sa mga lalawigang naapektuhan ng lindol at bagyo. Sinasalamin ng mga ito ang isang mapagpasyang pagbabago tungo sa pagpapahalaga sa mga nagpapakain sa atin,” the veteran legislator said at a joint press conference.
The principal author of the Sagip Saka Act (Republic Act 11321) joined Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, House Committee on Agriculture and Food Chairperson and Quezon Representative Mark Enverga, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson, Zamboanga del Norte Governor Darel Dexter Uy, and FTI Board Member Joseph Rudolph Lo at a joint press conference held at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Emancipation Room to shed light on the twin Executive Orders and their expected impact on farmers and consumers.
“Itong mga EO, kasama ang rice import ban at pagtaas ng taripa, ay mga hakbang na magpoprotekta sa ating mga lokal na producer at mamimili.”
“Doble-doble ang pasan-pasan ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda: matataas na input costs at natural disasters. Itong mga EO, kasama ang rice import ban at pagtaas ng taripa, ay mga hakbang na magpoprotekta sa ating mga lokal na producer at mamimili,” Pangilinan said.
Executive Order 100, series of 2025, mandates the Department of Agriculture to set a floor price for palay purchases, factoring in production costs, prevailing market prices, and a reasonable margin for farmers. It introduces a trigger mechanism that ensures government intervention when market prices fall below sustainable levels.
Meanwhile, Executive Order 101, series of 2025, directs the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act, which enables national and local government agencies to directly procure produce from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding–a key mechanism to stabilize farmgate prices and improve market access.
“Pinoprotektahan ng EO 100 ang mga magsasaka mula sa predatory pricing, habang tinitiyak ng EO 101 na ang pamahalaan ang magiging pinakamalaki at maaasahang buyer ng mga magsasaka.”
“Magkatuwang ang dalawang EO na ito. Pinoprotektahan ng EO 100 ang mga magsasaka mula sa predatory pricing, habang tinitiyak ng EO 101 na ang pamahalaan ang magiging pinakamalaki at maaasahang buyer ng mga magsasaka,” the seasoned lawmaker said.
Both directives form part of the government’s broader agricultural recovery roadmap, aimed at revitalizing rural livelihoods, stabilizing food prices, and rebuilding confidence in local production.
The senator said that the policies, if properly implemented, can cushion farmers from external shocks and strengthen domestic supply.
“Kapag tubo o huling Pinas ang binili natin, pinapakain natin ang ating mga sarili. Makakatulong sa atin ang mga repormang ito, kasama ang mga pagsasaayos ng taripa at kontrol sa pag-import, na umahon patungo sa tunay na seguridad sa pagkain. Ibig sabihin, kumikita ng sapat ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda, at sapat at abot-kaya ang nasa hapag-kainan ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” he said.
The joint press conference also underscored the importance of inter-agency coordination and transparent communication with local government units, cooperatives, and other agricultural stakeholders.
Officials reiterated that the success of these reforms depends on strong local partnerships and accountability mechanisms.
“Ang mga sangkap ng tagumpay para sa mga nagpapakain sa atin? Tamang mga patakaran, political will, at sama-samang pagkilos,” Pangilinan concluded.
