Irrigators thankful for Speaker’s support
FARMERS and irrigators nationwide have conveyed their appreciation to Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez for his unwavering support for vital irrigation programs, including solar-powered pump irrigation projects (SPIPs).
They expressed their gratitude to Speaker Romualdez by sharing the life-changing benefits of irrigation during the National Congress of Irrigators’ Associations held at Canyon Woods Resort in Batangas recently.
During the event, Speaker Romualdez affirmed Congress’s unwavering commitment to supporting the expansion of irrigation projects, aligned with the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to boost agricultural production and enhance food security.
In her testimony, Rizalinda Cagalawan, a farmer-irrigator from Misamis Oriental, noted the welcome shift from uncertain rain-dependent farming.
“With this irrigation project in Balingasag, water was made readily available, and our livelihood has greatly improved,” she said.
Teresita Chua, president of the Lumayang Irrigators Association Inc. in Zamboanga City, also attested to the positive changes: “We are very grateful because our lives have improved. We are no longer tired (of having to fetch water far somewhere else), especially us senior farmer-irrigators.”
National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Eduardo ‘Eddie’ Guillen echoed the farmers’ gratitude for the support of the House led by Speaker Romualdez.
“Thank you, Speaker Romualdez, for your unwavering support to NIA and our hardworking farmers,” Guillen said. “Your commitment uplifts our agency and the lives of countless rural communities who rely on irrigation and agriculture for their future.”
In his message to the participants of the irrigators and farmers, Speaker Romualdez cited the House of Representatives’ commitment to ensure adequate funding for these vital projects.
He recalled how the House resisted proposed Senate cuts on the 2025 NIA budget, securing a P69.4 billion allocation for the agency, substantially increasing the initial proposed funding.
“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,” Speaker Romualdez said.
The construction of SPIPs is part of the Marcos administration’s strategy to further improve the country’s irrigation system and boost the agricultural sector.
Guillen cited the cost efficiency of SPIPs, requiring about P200,000 to P300,000 to supply water per hectare compared to P1.2 million for traditional systems, as well as their rapid deployment capability.
He likewise noted the projects’ environmental benefits, noting how solar irrigation aligns with the push for renewable energy to help address climate change challenges.
