Photo source: Senate of the Philippines YouTube livestream | December 2, 2025
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan backed the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) push for additional funding under the 2026 national budget.
In his manifestations on Tuesday for the DA-led amendments on Dec. 2, Pangilinan urged colleagues to consider the agency’s expanded budget proposals.
“The DA’s additional proposal will ensure that the national budget prioritizes the needs of our agricultural sector: para sa ating mga magsasaka, mga mangingisda, at para sa layunin na wala nang Pilipinong magugutom,” he said.
Pangilinan chairs the Senate committee on agriculture and serves as vice chair of Subcommittee J of the finance committee.
He said the DA’s proposed adjustments are essential “to strengthen food security and support rural development.”
Among the DA’s requests is a P2.4-billion allocation for deep-water ports under the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority.
The ports will improve landing, handling, and cold storage logistics in Occidental Mindoro, Zamboanga del Norte, and Albay.
The DA is also seeking a P500-million transition fund for the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act.
Another request is P100 million for the Young Farmers Challenge Program to support young agripreneurs.
Pangilinan likewise highlighted the need to support irrigation, citing the National Irrigation Administration’s additional funding requests, including P1.5 billion for the Angat Afterbay Regulator Dam replacement and smaller allocations for training and double-cropping initiatives.