Kiko flags 60% farm aid gap, pushes AICS, TUPAD expansion

Senator Francis Pangilinan har warned that government aid for farmers and fisherfolk falls short, with the P10-billion assistance covering only 4.18 million of 10.76 million registered food producers, leaving about 60% without support.

Amid pressure from the Middle East conflict on farm inputs, Pangilinan urged the government to tap funds from the 2026 budget, including P63.8 billion in protective services and P21.2 billion for TUPAD, to expand aid coverage to those still unreached.

“Frontliner food soldiers sa krisis ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Sandata nila ang agarang tulong-pangkabuhayan,” he said, stressing that sustaining livelihoods ensures stable food supply.

The senator also pushed for tighter coordination among key agencies to speed up and widen aid delivery, citing programs like AICS and TUPAD as critical support tools.

“Simple ang layunin ng mas maayos na koordinasyon: Mas maraming pamilya ang matutulungan at mapo-protektahan natin ang seguridad sa pagkain ng bawat Pilipino,” said Pangilinan.IMT