Kiko Pangilinan calls on LGUs to buy produce from local farmers

Former senator Kiko Pangilinan on Wednesday vowed to expand his Oplan Sagip Kamatis by urging more local government units to buy the farmers' yield. 

Pangilinan issued the statement in response to a Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho report on Filipino farmers' calling for support after the government increased the volume of imported vegetables.

“Tuloy-tuloy iyan. We are already reaching out to several LGUs to implement this initiative,” Pangilinan told reporters during his visit to Tagbilaran, Bohol, on Wednesday.

In the pilot run for Pangilinan's Oplan Sagip Kamatis, tons of tomatoes were prevented from being spoiled since it was bought by the Muntinlupa city local government purchased five tons at P25 per kilo for its feeding programs and calamity relief effort.

The pricing was higher than the P4 per kilo price that farmers were initially forced to sell at.

“Ito mismo ang dahilan kung bakit natin ipinasa ang Sagip Saka Act—para hindi na dumanas ng kawalan ang ating mga magsasaka. Dahil sa batas na ito, wala nang bidding, walang middleman, kaya mas mataas ang kita ng mga magsasaka.”

(This is the reason why I pushed for Sagip Saka Act, so our farmers won't be left behind. Because of this law, there is no bidding, middleman, to stand in the way of our farmers having increases earnings.)

Pangilinan was referring to the Sagip Saka Act, a measure he principally authors that allows LGUs to directly purchase produce from farmers and fisherfolk at a competitive price without the need for public bidding.

“We are now calling on other LGUs to follow suit. Tataas ang kita ng magsasaka at makakatipid ang LGU. Lahat makikinabang,” Pangilinan said.

"This will increase the earnings of farmers and fisherfolk and the LGUs will be able to buy quality and affordable yield. Everybody wins.)

Bam for BPO assistance

Former senator Bam Aquino, for his part, pushed for government assistance to Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) workers amid the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“We can have a hearing about this and raise the problem. At one point, the BPO industry was a pillar of the economy. Now, we're seeing it slip away,” Aquino said in a dialogue with BPO workers in Cebu.

Aquino said the BPO sector will remain relevant and thriving as long as the government will provide them sufficient training for them to continuously improve and innovate their craft. — BM, GMA Integrated News

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