Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said political power struggles should not come at the expense of Filipino farmers already struggling with rising prices and food insecurity.
Pangilinan made the statement following the postponement of a Senate hearing on the situation of vegetable farmers in Benguet.
The senator said the issue is not simply oversupply, but rising fuel prices that have made transporting vegetables too costly for many truckers.
He said some truckers are already reluctant to haul produce because fuel expenses eat up most of their earnings.
“Politics can wait, hunger can’t,” Pangilinan said.
Despite changes in Senate leadership, Pangilinan assured farmers he will continue pushing for hearings and policies that support local agriculture and protect farmers’ livelihoods.IMT
