Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III called for stronger farmers’ and irrigators’ associations and better market access to raise farmers’ incomes and strengthen the country’s food security.
Speaking during a Sagip Saka Program meeting in San Miguel, Bulacan, Dy stressed that higher farm productivity means little if farmers cannot find fair and reliable markets for their produce.
He cited the Sagip Saka Program’s role in connecting farmers with government and institutional buyers, with the Department of Agriculture reporting 13,656 registered enterprises and PHP2.92 billion in procurement awards as of July 2026.
Dy also highlighted the proposed PHP198.4-billion 2027 budget for the Department of Agriculture and its attached corporations, which covers production, mechanization, post-harvest facilities, market access, and other agricultural programs.
He said stronger farmers’ and irrigators’ groups can improve bargaining power, access to government assistance,e and direct sales, helping reduce the distance between farms and markets.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 9, 2026
