The House of Representatives led by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has expressed optimism that the proposed “Sagip Saka Act” will soon get enacted. This came after the Senate adopted House Bill HB 8857 which institutes the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program to be under the Department of Agriculture, as an amendment to Senate Bill 1281. The House unanimously approved on third and final reading HB 8857 with 185 votes last Jan. 31. It requested last Feb. 6 for the formation of a conference committee with the Senate. However, the Senate adopted on the same day HB 8857 as an amendment to SB 1281.

Cruz, M. V. (2019, March 3). Senate adopts 'sagip saka' measure. Manila Standard, p. A3.