Senator Francis Pangilinan activated the Sagip Saka program to aid victims of recent typhoons, sourcing 800 kilos of fresh vegetables from Nueva Ecija and turning them over to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte for distribution to affected residents.
Pangilinan emphasized that the Sagip Saka Act is not just legislation but a “lifeline” connecting food producers to those in crisis. Farmers from Talavera had to harvest early due to typhoon disruptions, prompting the initiative to rescue their produce and prevent waste.
He worked with Talavera Mayor Aries Lim, the Kaya Natin! Movement, and the Department of Agriculture Region III to facilitate the delivery of vegetables, including patola, tomatoes, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, string beans, cucumbers, and squash.
Pangilinan also urged local government units to maximize the provisions of the law, especially in times of disaster. He said the act addresses both urgent food access for victims and fair market support for farmers.
Under the law, LGUs and government agencies can procure directly from accredited farmer and fisherfolk groups, bypassing traditional bidding. This ensures better income for producers and fairer food access for communities in need.
