What's Happening?
Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan has called for structural reforms aimed at empowering farmers' and fishers' organizations through the establishment of strong cooperatives and active extension services. During a public hearing on Senate Bills 389 and 1183,
which propose the Agricultural Cooperatives Act, and Senate Bill 1182, the National Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System Act, Pangilinan emphasized the need for 'boots on the ground' to effectively modernize agriculture. He highlighted past efforts in 2012 and 2024 that had limited success despite support from the Department of Agriculture and other agencies. The proposed measures aim to create a Bureau of Agricultural Cooperatives and re-nationalize extension services to ensure comprehensive support for farmers and fishers throughout the production and marketing chain.
Why It's Important?
The proposed reforms are significant as they aim to address longstanding challenges in the agricultural sector by enhancing the organizational capacity of farmers and fishers. By establishing a Bureau of Agricultural Cooperatives and re-nationalizing extension services, the reforms seek to provide structured support, which is crucial for modernizing agriculture. This could lead to increased productivity and sustainability in the sector, benefiting the economy and food security. The involvement of cooperatives is expected to improve the delivery of government services and aid, which has been hindered by registration gaps in the agricultural sector. The reforms have garnered support from other senators and align with the priorities of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who has emphasized the importance of cooperatives and extension services.
What's Next?
The next steps involve further discussions and potential amendments to the proposed bills as they progress through the legislative process. The support from the Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders will be crucial in refining and implementing these reforms. If passed, the establishment of the Bureau of Agricultural Cooperatives and the re-nationalization of extension services will require coordinated efforts to ensure effective execution. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be necessary to assess the impact of these reforms on the agricultural sector and make adjustments as needed.
