Senator Francis Pangilinan renewed his call for innovation in farming, stressing product development and training as keys to higher farmer incomes.
In his keynote at the Bulacan Food Fair and Exposition (Buffex 2025) in Malolos, Pangilinan said Bulacan remains a major driver of the economy, contributing nearly 15% to the country’s agri-fishery sector. He noted the province’s 2023 GDP topped P600 million, proving that food production fuels jobs and value-adding.
Citing his own experience as a farmer-CEO, Pangilinan shared that shifting from raw harvest sales to packaged products increased his earnings.
“Let us keep innovating, let us continue to look at value-adding product development,” he said.
Pangilinan also highlighted Senate Bill No. 1183, or the Agricultural Cooperatives Act of 2025, which funds sustainable farming methods and requires mentorship and training for cooperative members.
But he stressed that legislation alone is not enough. The real key to higher revenues lies in innovation and collective action, said Pangilinan, assuring farmers and entrepreneurs of his full support.
“My office is your office,” he also said.IMT
