Pangilinan lauds signing of Sagip Saka Act into law

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday lauded the signing of the Sagip Saka Act into law that will institutionalize an enterprise program for fishermen and farmers.

Pangilinan, who serves as the principal author and sponsor of the Republic Act 11321 or the Sagip Saka Act, said farmers and fisherfolk will benefit the most from the law especially amid the issues of exportation and low prices in the global market.

“Ang pagsasabatas ng Sagip Saka ay tagumpay ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda, ang mahigit 10 milyong Pilipinong nagpapakain sa atin,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

“Ngayon, higit kailanman, napaka-kritikal nitong batas na ito dahil ginugutom ang ating mga magsasaka ng sobrang pag-angkat ng bigas at ng mababang presyo ng kopra sa pandaigdigang merkado; ganun din ang ating mga mangingisda na pinipigilan ng mga Tsino na mamalakaya sa ating karagatan,” he added.

Pangilinan explained that the government will be mandated to buy products needed for various programs straight to fishermen and fisherfolk, removing middlemen in the process.

“Ano ang nais gawin ng Sagip Saka? Siguruhin na bibili ang gobyerno ng mga produkto ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda sa iba’t-ibang programa nito,” Pangilinan said.

“Kaya halimbawa, ang mga government feeding program sa ilalim ng nutrition at health programs ay dapat nang bumili ng bigas, gulay, prutas, manok, at kung anu-ano pang mga produktong agrikultural diretso na sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Bale, inaalis na ang mga middlemen na siyang kumikita nang malaki mula sa pagod at hirap nila,” the senator added.

Pangilinan said the law will help uplift the lives of those in the “poorest sector of the country.”

“Ang diwa ng batas na ito ay ang magkaroon ng kapangyarihan ang mga pinakamahirap na sektor ng ating lipunan para magkaroon ng maayos at maginhawang buhay para sa kanila, sa kanilang mga anak, at sa kinabukasan nating lahat,” Pangilinan said.

“Dapat masiguro na ang nagtanim, nagbayo, at ang nagluto ay siyang kakain,” he added.

Under the law, the farmers and fishermen will be given access to skills development,  business support, technology financial support through grants.

“In pursuance of this policy, the State shall strengthen the farmers’ and fisherfolk’s enterprise development program by establishing a comprehensive and holistic approach in the formulation, coordination, and implementation of enterprise development initiatives, consolidating the roles of different government agencies involved in farmers and fisherfolk enterprise development, and intensifying the building of entrepreneurship culture among farmers and fisherfolk,” the law states. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)

READ: Enterprise development program bill for farmers, fishermen now a law