Senator Francis Pangilinan on Friday urged the Department of Health (DOH) to fully implement the law seeking all public hospitals to purchase their food directly from local farmers and fisherfolk.

Pangilinan was referring to Republic Act 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act he authored in 2019, which aims to uplift the lives of agricultural workers by guaranteeing market access through direct government procurement.

He said the law’s intent is clear – to make the government the biggest and most reliable buyer of local produce, ensuring income for producers and nutrition for communities.

Pangilinan said during their meeting on July 8, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa committed to issuing a department order for the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act.

There are 60 public hospitals nationwide, which means there are also 60 canteens or cafeterias operating in every hospital.

Pangilinan said he also plans to discuss the enactment of the Sagip Saka Act with agencies and local governments, underscoring the need for their full participation so the law’s intended beneficiaries – the farmers and fisherfolk – can reap the rewards.

“Saan nila binibili ang kanilang pagkain araw-araw? Dapat may porsyento niyan direkta ang bili sa mga magsasaka (Where do they buy their daily food? A percentage of that should be directly sourced from farmers),” he said.

Pangilinan warned that he plans to defer the budget approval of agencies that cannot present a concrete plan on implementing the Sagip Saka Act. (PNA)