Photo Release

Impact of direct purchases by NGAs and LGUs to farmers’ income: Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan asks the Department of Agriculture (DA) to conduct a study and come up with findings on the impact of the direct purchases of agricultural products by the government to the income of farmers. Pangilinan was referring to the P2.8 billion worth of agricultural products purchased by 444 local government units (LGUs) from the more than 532 farmers’ cooperatives and individual farmers. “Can we get the DA's commitment to monitor the program and come up with its findings so that we can benchmark the impact of direct purchases by LGUs and other national government agencies (NGAs) on the income of our farmers and fisherfolks?” Pangilinan asked during the hybrid marathon plenary session Monday, November 15, 2021. Sen. Cynthia Villar, who is defending the proposed budget of the DA, said the department has committed to submit its findings. (Screen grab/Senate PRIB)