Senator Pangilinan Champions Structural Reforms for Philippine Agriculture
Senator Francis Pangilinan, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, has issued a compelling call for structural reforms aimed at strengthening farmers' and fishers' organizations across the Philippines. Speaking during a public hearing on Monday, January 26, 2026, Pangilinan emphasized that true agriculture modernization hinges on establishing effective extension services and robust cooperatives at the grassroots level.
Legislative Push for Agricultural Transformation
The senator made his statement as his committee conducted a crucial public hearing on several key legislative proposals. These include Senate Bill Nos. 389 and 1183, collectively known as the proposed Agricultural Cooperatives Act, and Senate Bill No. 1182, or the National Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System Act. Pangilinan argued that these twin measures are essential for organizing agricultural workers and driving modernization efforts forward.
"Unless we organize our farmers and fisherfolks, we will never modernize our agriculture. That's how important these twin measures are," Pangilinan declared during the hearing. He pointed to past failures, noting that efforts in 2012 and again in 2024 to organize vegetable and fruit farmers did not prosper despite extensive training and support from the Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Training Institute, and local government units.
Addressing Systemic Gaps in Agricultural Support
Pangilinan highlighted a critical deficiency in current agricultural support systems, stating, "Hangga't walang 'boots on the ground' ang DA, hindi mapapalakas ng husto ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda." This translates to: "As long as the DA has no 'boots on the ground,' we won't be able to fully strengthen our farmers and fishers."
The proposed legislation seeks to address these gaps through two primary mechanisms:
- Establishment of a Bureau of Agricultural Cooperatives to provide dedicated support and oversight for cooperative development
- Re-nationalization of extension services to ensure consistent, nationwide delivery of technical assistance and training
Pangilinan revealed that the Department of Agriculture supports these bills, and that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has underscored the critical role of extension services and cooperatives based on his experience as a former local chief executive.
Bipartisan Support and Additional Concerns
Monday's hearing marked the second discussion on these measures, following an earlier technical working group session focused on organizing farmers and fishers through extension services and cooperatives. The legislative push has garnered support from across the political aisle, with Senator Raffy Tulfo expressing his endorsement of the proposed bills.
Tulfo emphasized that cooperatives would enable agricultural workers to face challenges collectively throughout the entire production cycle—from planting and harvest to marketing—while allowing the government to deliver services more efficiently. However, he also raised concerns about persistent problems in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture, noting that some farmers and fishers remain unregistered while others continue to receive assistance despite no longer being eligible.
"Ang daming tulong ng gobyerno ang hindi nakakarating dahil hindi rehistrado ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda," Tulfo stated, highlighting how registration issues prevent government assistance from reaching intended beneficiaries.
This legislative initiative comes at a crucial time for Philippine agriculture, as farmers across regions like San Miguel, Bulacan continue their work during favorable planting seasons. The proposed reforms aim to create a more resilient and organized agricultural sector capable of meeting both domestic needs and global challenges.
