Manila, March 19 -- Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Thursday urged colleagues to pass his twin agricultural reform bills to strengthen food security as the situation in the Middle East continues to threaten global supply chains.

The measures - the proposed Agricultural and Fisheries Cooperatives Act and Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act - complement Pangilinan's 2019 Sagip Saka Act, which allows government agencies and local units to buy directly from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.

A former presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernization, Pangilinan stressed the need to boost local production and reduce reliance on imports.

The bills cover the entire value chain, including inputs, production, pr...