Senator Francis Pangilinan lauded the issuance of Executive Orders Nos. 100 and 101 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., describing them as major victories for farmers and the agriculture sector.
EO 100 sets a floor price for government purchases of palay to shield farmers from sharp price drops during harvest season, while EO 101 fully implements the Sagip Saka Act, allowing government agencies and local governments to buy directly from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.
“These EOs demonstrate that when the government listens to farmers and takes decisive action, we can ensure that those who feed the nation live with dignity,” Pangilinan said.
The twin measures, alongside the rice import ban, aim to boost local agriculture and stabilize rural incomes.
Pangilinan added that the reforms reflect a “whole-of-nation effort” to strengthen food security and ensure fairness for those sustaining the country’s food supply.
However, the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) expressed skepticism over EO 100, saying it would have little effect on actual farmgate prices.
FFF chairman Leonardo Montemayor noted that the order only covers government purchases, which represent about five percent of total palay production. “This will not influence private traders to raise their buying prices,” he said.
Montemayor also warned that creating a multi-agency committee to set and adjust prices could delay decisions and that most local governments lack the capacity and funds to buy palay directly from farmers.
“Effectively, the NFA will still be the main buyer, and its buying price is already determined by the NFA Council and approved by the President,” he said.
He added that since the main harvest season has ended, any real benefits from EO 100 may only reach farmers by the dry-season harvest in early 2026.
Despite the doubts, Pangilinan urged continued coordination between national and local agencies to ensure that the reforms translate into tangible relief and lasting stability for Filipino farmers.
