Kiko, Bam push for farmers, entrepreneurs support in Pangasinan, Bulacan

Former Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino barnstormed the vote-rich provinces of Pangasinan and Bulacan, respectively, highlighting their advocacy to strengthen government programs for Filipino farmers and entrepreneurs.

Pangilinan joined the Farmer’s Day celebration in San Nicolas, Pangasinan before delivering a speech at the Sulong Agrikultura Forum held at the Speaker Eugenio Perez National Agricultural School in San Carlos City.

Pangilinan, who tends a farm, discussed making farming more attractive to the youth with the use of modern technology.  He said adequate support to the agriculture sector would help increase the yield and income of farmers and entice the younger generations to engage in the sector.

Pangilinan served as food security czar during the tenure of President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III and is the author of the Sagip Saka law which allows the national and local governments to directly purchase from farmers without public bidding.

“Hindi lang mataas na presyo ng bigas ang sinosolusyunan natin, sinusuportahan pa nating makabangon ang ating mga magsasaka na nagpapakain sa atin,” Pangilinan said.

(We will not only address high rice prices, we will also provide support to our farmers.)

Pangasinan has at least 2.15 million registered voters based on the Commission on Elections records.

Aquino stressed the importance of providing needed assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during a roundtable discussion with micro-entrepreneurs in Malolos, Bulacan.

“Matibay ang paniniwala ko na kung maliliit na negosyante mabigyan ng tulong, nagkakaroon ng employment, nagkakaroon ng partner businesses. Iyong farmers natin natutulungan. Nagkakaroon ng paggalaw ang ekonomiya sa mga lugar na dapat mapuntahan nito,” Aquino, one of the authors of the Go Negosyo Act, said.

(I strongly believe that if we aid MSMEs, we create employment, partner businesses...we are able to help farmers and grow our economy.)

The Go Negosyo law mandates the creation of Negosyo Centers nationwide, designed to support MSMEs by providing access to financing, mentorship, assistance with regulatory requirements, and marketing support.

Aquino said there are four Negosyo Centers in Malolos City alone and 27 in Bulacan.

Bulacan has 2.17 million registered voters, according to Comelec.—Llanesca Panti/LDF, GMA Integrated News

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