Former Senator Kiko Pangilinan has renewed his call for local government units (LGUs) to purchase directly from farmers, expanding his Oplan Sagip Kamatis initiative to prevent surplus crops from going to waste.
During a visit to Tagbilaran, Bohol, Pangilinan cited the success of Muntinlupa City, which bought five tons of tomatoes at ₱25 per kilo—far higher than the ₱4 per kilo price that farmers were initially forced to sell at.
✔ No middlemen, no bidding process
✔ Higher earnings for farmers
✔ Affordable produce for LGUs’ feeding programs & relief efforts
This initiative is backed by the Sagip Saka Act, a law Pangilinan authored that allows LGUs to directly procure from farmers and fisherfolk.
🗨 “We are now calling on other LGUs to follow suit. This will raise farmers’ incomes and allow LGUs to save money—everybody wins,” he said.