By: Sophia Pacheco
Consumers purchase fruits and vegetables directly from farmers at Kadiwa sa Pangulo in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on Sept. 13, 2025. Photo: Judy Partlow / PNA file photo
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the full implementation of Republic Act No. 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act, which aims to empower farmers and fisherfolk to sell their products directly to government agencies.
Under Executive Order (EO) 101, signed on Saturday, Oct. 25, requires all national government agencies and instrumentalities to allocate a portion of their procurement to locally produced agricultural and fishery items.
The order calls for the implementation of measures to help farmers and fishermen, such as capacity building, market access, enterprise growth, and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods for small-scale producers.
EO 101 also directs agencies to purchase directly from accredited farmer and fisher cooperatives and enterprises (FFCEs).
“Said procurement shall be exempted from the application of the bidding process, subject to negotiated procurement prescribed under RA No. 12009 or the New Government Procurement Act and other existing laws, rules and regulations,” the order read.
“Further, all NGAs and instrumentalities, including GOCCs and SUCs, are hereby directed, and LGUs are hereby encouraged, to ensure that rice and other agricultural and fishery products served in government events, food service areas or canteens are directly purchase from FFCEs to promote the consumption of locally produced food and support small producers,” it added.
According to Malacañang, the EO seeks to improve coordination among national and local government bodies, private sectors, civil society groups, and academic institutions to promote inclusive and sustainable agricultural growth and provide farmers and fishermen with consistent market access and government support.
The Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development (FFED) Program will be led by the Department of Agriculture (DA), with oversight from the FFED Council.
Furthermore, the DA will also establish 'Sagip Saka Desks' in its regional and field offices across the country to serve as hubs for information, aid, and coordination centers.