Legislators Declare Support for Philippine Agriculturist Act

Photo grabbed from Sen. Zubiri’s Facebook Page

During the Senate Plenary Session held last 18 December presided by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Sub-committee Chair on Philippine Professional Agriculturists Hon. Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri delivered his sponsorship speech in support of the Philippine Agriculturist Act of 2024 which was jointly approved by the Senate Committee on Civil Service and Committee on Finance. Committee Report No. 435 was signed by the Senators with the attached Senate Bill No. 2906 in substitution of SB Nos. 1544 and 2935.  As a registered agriculturist, Sen. Zubiri vouched for the PH Agriculturist Act and stressed the significant role of agriculture professionals in the growth of the sector.

“I stand here not only as a legislator, but as a licensed agriculturist as well to sponsor the Philippine Agriculturist Act of 2024...When we think of agriculture, we think of our farmers. Very few of us will think of our agriculturists. But the truth is that our farmers and our agriculturists work hand in hand. One cannot do their work without the others,” said Sen. Zubiri.

“To put it simply, agriculturists are the ones who teach our farmers better ways to farm. Yet, for the key role that they play in our agricultural development, our agriculturists barely get any recognition from the government,” he added.

Sen. Zubiri recognized that the Philippines is the home to research institutes such as the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Laguna where scientists are using genetic engineering to produce abiotic stress-tolerant rice varieties. Yet, the country is still the number one global importer of rice.

“Part of this disconnect, I think lies in the lack of support that we give to our agriculturists...We need agriculturists to bridge the gap between research and practice...but they can [only] do these if we empower them as professionals which is what we aim to do with this measure,” he stressed.

On one hand, Sen. Loren Legarda echoed the importance of recognizing the role of agriculturists in ensuring the food and nutrition security of the country during her co-sponsorship speech.

“More than just professionalizing the sector, this measure sends a powerful message. We value the work of those who feed our nation,” she espoused.

Also present to declare his support was Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. The Philippine Agriculturist Act stashed support from various legislators as well, only proving the urgency and relevance of the Bill. Those who vouched support as co-authors and co-sponsors were: Sen. Cynthia Villar, Sen. dela Rosa, Sen. Legarda, Sen. Imee Marcos, Sen. Sherwin Gachalian, Sen. Joel Villanueva, Sen. JV Ejercito, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Sen. Mark Villar, Sen. Nancy Binay, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Koko Pimentel, Sen. Bong Go, Sen. Sonny Tolentino, and Sen. Pia Cayetano.

With the recent development and endorsement of the Bill, the PH Agriculturist Act is set to continue the legislative process in the 3rd week of January 2025 when both the House of Representatives and the Senate will resume their sessions. The end of the 19th Congress is expected to fall by the first week of March. Between those dates, the Filipino agriculturists fervently call for continued action from both chambers for the enactment of the Bill into law.