Senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday met with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. to align legislative and executive priorities aimed at empowering farmers, lowering food prices, and ensuring long-term food security.

Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, said both he and Tiu-Laurel share the same vision for the sector, particularly in amending the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) and strengthening direct extension services to farmers at the grassroots and municipal levels.

“Aligned ‘yung aming mga gustong mangyari sa sektor ng agrikultura, kami ni Sec. Kiko. So, hindi lang kami kaparehas ng pangalan, kaparehas din ang aming gustong iprioritize (Secretary Kiko and I share the same goals for the agriculture sector. We don’t just share the same name, we also share the same priorities),” Pangilinan said.

Among the immediate measures discussed were intervention programs to reduce rice and food prices, the strengthening of farmers’ cooperatives, and the establishment of trading centers for local farmers and fisherfolk.

Both agreed that amendments to the RTL should be passed before next year’s harvest season, with Pangilinan urging Malacañang to certify the measure as urgent.

The senator also expressed full support for a bigger DA budget, stressing the need for adequate resources to implement programs effectively.

“Kailangan mabantayan itong paggagasta ng kaban ng bayan at pondo para matiyak na direktang benepisyo at hindi kung saan-saan napupunta (We must ensure that public funds directly benefit the intended recipients),” he said.

Pangilinan is set to open committee hearings in the next two months on a series of agricultural issues, anchored on resolutions he earlier filed. (PNA)