Vigan, Ilocos Sur – In an effort by the Department of Agriculture to continually bolster the Philippine agriculture sector, the local government units of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur were convened in an information campaign on Republic Act 11321, better known as the Sagip Saka Act, on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The Sagip Saka, which was signed into law in 2019, is an act instituting the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program (FFEDP) of the Department of Agriculture.

Under the Sagip Saka Act, the national and local government agencies will directly purchase agricultural fishery products from accredited farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives and enterprises.

This allows procurement participation from the grassroots level, as the Act does not require elaborate documentary requirements. Procurement of agencies of agricultural products shall be exempt from the application of the bidding process.

Under the guidelines of the Government Procurement Policy Board, the agencies will undergo a negotiated procurement.

The act also covers comprehensive support for farmers and fisherfolk in production, improved access to financing, business and marketing development, tax incentives and exemptions, and private sector partnerships.

Spearheaded by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of DA-RFO1, the information campaign aims to address the limited awareness and understanding of the law, especially at the local level.

Through the campaign, LGUs are expected to have an increased awareness and understanding of the Act, improved readiness to implement FFEDP, initiate local procurement plans from farmer groups, and identify local champions, including enabling ordinances.