SENATOR  Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan underscored the importance of education during a recent visit to Puguis Elementary School in Benguet, where he encouraged kindergarten to Grade 3 pupils to pursue their dreams through hard work and dedication to their studies.

Pangilinan, who once served as a lecturer on civil, political, and labor law before entering the Senate in 2001, said his love for learning was shaped by his teaching background and upbringing as the son of a teacher.

“So, what’s important to remember—for those who want to be doctors, nurses, soldiers, or police officers—you need to study hard,” Pangilinan told the children. “Who wants to be a senator? You need to study hard.”

Much to the delight of the pupils, the senator shared that he makes it a point to personally bring his own four children to school whenever he can.

“I have four children—three girls and one boy. When they were in Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, I would bring them to school, because education is important,” he recalled.

During the visit, Pangilinan also distributed school supplies donated by private partners such as National Bookstore and vowed to continue supporting initiatives that encourage young learners to stay in school.

“All of these are because we want you to study well. Because if you study hard, the day will come when you can be a doctor, a police officer, a nurse, or a firefighter,” he said.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, Pangilinan is pushing Senate Bill No. 219, or the Libreng Almusal Act, as a priority measure.

The bill seeks to provide free breakfast to all public school students from kindergarten to senior high school nationwide. It is designed to complement his earlier Sagip Saka Act, as the Libreng Almusal program would allocate part of its budget for direct purchases of produce from farmers and fisherfolk without the need for public bidding.

The first hearing on the Libreng Almusal bill is scheduled for September 11.