Manila, July 11 -- Senator Francis Pangilinan on Friday urged the Department of Health (DOH) to fully implement the law seeking all public hospitals to purchase their food directly from local farmers and fisherfolk.

Pangilinan was referring to Republic Act 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act he authored in 2019, which aims to uplift the lives of agricultural workers by guaranteeing market access through direct government procurement.

He said the law's intent is clear - to make the government the biggest and most reliable buyer of local produce, ensuring income for producers and nutrition for communities.

Pangilinan said during their meeting on July 8, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa committed to issuing a department order for the full implem...