AGRI HEROES
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has recognized irrigators associations (IAs) as critical partners in ensuring the country’s food security, hailing hailing them as among the “heroes of agriculture.”
Speaking before hundreds of irrigators and farmers gathered for the 2025 Nationwide NIA-IA Congress held at Canyon Woods Resort Club in Laurel, Batangas Romualdez pledged full legislative support to uplift and address their longstanding concerns.
“Hindi lang ito seminar. Hindi lang ito palitan ng mga plano. Ito ay pagtitipon ng mga tunay na bayani ng agrikultura – kayo,” Romualdez said.
The congress, spearheaded by NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen, among others, aimed to strengthen collaboration between irrigators, government agencies and legislators.
In his speech, Romualdez underscored the central role irrigation plays in the livelihood of Filipino farmers, directly linking adequate water supply to food security nationwide.
“Hindi na po kailangang ipaliwanag pa kung gaano kahalaga ang papel ng patubig sa buhay ng magsasaka. Kung walang patubig, walang ani. Kung walang ani, walang pagkain sa hapag ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” Romualdez stressed.
He further assured IA leaders of Congress’ deep appreciation for their efforts and sacrifices, calling them frontline partners in the national economy, especially amid the persistent challenges faced by the agriculture sector.
“Kinikilala namin ang inyong sakripisyo at kontribusyon sa ating ekonomiya. Kayong mga kasapi ng IAs ay katuwang namin sa pagtataguyod ng food security ng bansa. Sa Kongreso, tinuturing namin kayong mga frontliners ng food supply chain,” he added.
Likewise he acknowledged the farmers’ pressing concerns raised during community visits, ranging from farm inputs, machinery, subsidies, insurance, water permit fees, to educational scholarships for their children.
“Narinig ko ang mga hinaing ninyo – mula sa farm inputs, makinarya, at subsidiya, hanggang sa insurance, water permit fees, at scholarship para sa mga anak ninyo. Lahat ng ito ay lehitimo. Hindi ito luho, ito’y pangangailangan,” he noted.
To concretely address these needs, Speaker Romualdez vowed personal oversight of pending legislative measures and the crafting of agricultural policies and budgets, ensuring that farmers’ voices remain integral in these processes.
“Bilang Speaker, personal kong tututukan ang mga panukalang batas na makakatugon sa inyong mga pangangailangan. Sa pagbuo ng mga bagong polisiya at badyet para sa agrikultura, sisiguraduhin kong may puwang ang boses ng magsasaka,” he also said.
He then urged leaders of the IAs and farming organizations to actively participate in legislative discussions and deliberations to ensure that laws passed directly reflect their actual needs.
“Hinihikayat ko kayo – mga lider ng IAs, mga organisasyon ng magsasaka – makilahok kayo sa mga pagdinig sa Kongreso. Sumali kayo sa deliberasyon. Sabihin ninyo mismo kung anong klaseng batas ang kailangan ninyo,” the lawmaker said.
He encouraged the farming sector to confidently engage lawmakers and express their concerns, reiterating that the House of Representatives under his leadership remains committed to transforming their needs into effective policies and laws.
“Huwag kayong mahiyang magsalita. Hindi lang kayo tagapakinig. Kayo ang dahilan kung bakit may mga batas na kailangang likhain. At sa ilalim ng aking pamumuno sa House of Representatives, sisiguraduhin kong maririnig ang tinig ninyo,” Romualdez said.
In closing, Speaker Romualdez emphasized that the vision of a progressive “Bagong Pilipinas” requires genuine progress for the agricultural sector and the communities it sustains.
