Farmers and irrigators nationwide have conveyed their appreciation to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for his unwavering support for vital irrigation programs including solar-powered pump irrigation projects.
They expressed their gratitude to Romualdez by sharing the life-changing benefits of irrigation during the National Congress of Irrigators’ Associations recently held at Canyon Woods Resort in Batangas.
During the event, Romualdez affirmed Congress’s unwavering commitment to supporting the expansion of irrigation projects aligned with the vision of President Ferdinand 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.
Teresita Chua, Lumayang Irrigators Association Inc. president in Zamboanga City, attested to the positive changes, saying “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 chief Eduardo 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. Your commitment uplifts our agency and the lives of countless rural communities who rely on irrigation and agriculture for their future,” he added.
In his message to the participants of the irrigators and farmers, Romualdez cited the House of Representatives’ commitment to ensure adequate funding for these vital projects.
He recalled how Congress resisted proposed Senate cuts on the 2025 NIA budget, securing a P69.4 billion allocation for the agency, substantially increasing the initial proposed funding.
