Senator Francis Pangilinan on Friday commended the Government Procurement Policy Board for issuing new guidelines that will strengthen the implementation of the Sagip Saka Act, a law designed to boost the livelihoods of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk.
The Government Procurement Policy Board recently released Circular No. 02-2025, which provides detailed guidelines for the procurement of agricultural and fishery products under Republic Act No. 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act of 2019.
“This has been a long time coming. We passed the law in 2019 and it has yet to be fully implemented, which deprived our farmers and fisherfolk of the necessary support that should have been theirs since six years ago,” said Pangilinan, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform.
Pangilinan said the new rules bring the country a step closer to fully realizing the benefits of the landmark measure, which allows government agencies to directly purchase goods from accredited farmers and fisherfolk without going through public bidding.
He noted that the delayed implementation of the law had prevented small producers from accessing much-needed government support since its passage six years ago.
“By simplifying procurement processes and reducing barriers, we help ensure that every peso of government spending supports local food producers and strengthens our food security,” he said.
The measure, according to the lawmaker, is also expected to promote transparency and accountability in the government’s food procurement process.
The updated rules, Pangilinan said, will make the Sagip Saka Act more effective in addressing long-standing challenges such as middlemen dependency and unstable farm prices.
The circular will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.
“We thank the GPPB for recognizing the spirit of the law and for working with stakeholders to make its implementation truly meaningful,” Pangilinan said.
