President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signaled his readiness to certify the proposed Agriculture Cooperatives Act of 2025 as urgent, a move aimed at bolstering support for Filipino farmers and fisherfolk. The measure is expected to provide stronger institutional backing for agricultural cooperatives, which play a vital role in improving rural incomes and ensuring food security.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos made the announcement during a meeting with Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform Chairman Francis Pangilinan and other stakeholders. “President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed readiness to certify the Agriculture Cooperatives Act of 2025 as urgent to expedite its implementation,” the PCO said in a social media post.
Filed as Senate Bill No. 1183 by Senator Francis Pangilinan, the Agriculture Cooperatives Act of 2025 would establish a Bureau of Agricultural Cooperatives to promote and protect farmer- and fisherfolk-led organizations.
The bill underscores the role of cooperatives in boosting food security and rural incomes, noting that poverty incidence among farmers and fisherfolk remains among the highest in the country. Marcos’ support comes as his administration reviews amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law, aiming to ensure reforms benefit producers more directly through cooperative structures.
If passed, the measure is expected to provide institutional backing for grassroots organizations that advocates say are vital to stabilizing production, improving access to credit, and empowering rural communities.
The Marcos administration is also reviewing possible amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law, which liberalized rice importation. Officials said the goal is to ensure that reforms benefit farmers more directly, particularly through cooperative structures that can help stabilize production and distribution.
Agriculture advocates have long argued that empowering cooperatives is key to addressing systemic challenges in the sector, from access to credit and technology to market competitiveness. By fast-tracking the legislation, the government hopes to strengthen grassroots organizations that can serve as engines of resilience for rural communities.
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