Sen. Cynthia Villar on the appointment of Fmr. Sen. Francis Pangilinan as presidential assistant on food security and agriculture modernization

I commend Sen. Kiko Pangilinan for his appointment as presidential assistant on food security and agriculture modernization. His stint as former chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, which allowed him to see first-hand the problems of our farmers, will greatly help him in this position.

I believe his appointment shows us that this administration puts a premium on the agriculture sector and that the President is serious in addressing the needs of the farmers and the fisherfolks.

Two-thirds of our country's population, including the poorest of the poor is in the agriculture sector. The appointment of Sen. Pangilinan as presidential assistant shows us that the President is making agriculture a priority in the last years of his term.

Coincidentally, I am sponsoring the committee report on the Amendments to the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998. We believe reforms must be instituted to support our farmers and fisherfolks.