As the prolonged conflict in the Middle East continues to strain agriculture and fishery inputs, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan stressed that the ₱10-billion Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk supports only 4.18 million of the country’s 10.76 million food producers registered under the Department of Agriculture’s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (DA-RSBSA),  leaving about 60% still uncovered.

“Frontliner food soldiers sa krisis ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Sandata nila ang agarang tulong-pangkabuhayan para tuloy-tuloy silang makapagbungkal ng lupa at makapaglayag, at tuloy-tuloy din nilang maipaglaban ang pagkain sa bawat hapag-kainang Pilipino,” the senator said.

 In light of the 60% gap, Pangilinan called for apportioning some of the funds appropriated under the FY 2026 General Appropriations Act, including ₱63.845-billion Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances (PSIFDC), ₱21.283 billion TUPAD, and other emergency cash aid programs to the rest of those registered under the DA-RSBSA.

TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) is DOLE’s short‑term, community‑based emergency employment program for disadvantaged, displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers.

“As it is, marami pang wala sa registry. As it is, marami na sa kanila ang hirap, wala pa man ding sigalot sa Gitnang Silangan. Kapag tiniyak natin ang kanilang kabuhayan, tinitiyak din natin ang food supply ng buong bansa,” said the chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform.

Pangilinan also called for tighter inter-agency coordination and cooperation to expand assistance coverage, urging agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD, which handles Protective Services), DOLE (which handles TUPAD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to streamline aid delivery.

“Kailangang magsanib-puwersa ang DSWD, DOLE, DILG, DA, at DAR para mapabilis at mapalawak ang pag-abot ng tulong, gamit ang mga programang tulad ng TUPAD, AICS, at iba pang cash assistance,” Pangilinan said.

The AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations) is part of DSWD’s Protective Services, providing financial and material assistance to individuals and families in crisis.

Pangilinan stressed that stronger coordination across government agencies is crucial to guarantee broader and faster aid delivery–a necessity made even more urgent during periods of economic strain. He emphasized that assistance can reach more kababayans swiftly and effectively through this united effort. 

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

“Because to secure our food, we must secure our food producers,” he added.