House Speaker Faustino Dy III has recently convened a strategic dialogue with farmers at the Isabela Convention Center in Cauayan City to address pressing agricultural concerns.
He underscored the critical challenges facing the agricultural sector, emphasizing government programs and budget allocations designed to ensure rice availability and support local farmers.
The Speaker said the issues raised over the past month, particularly concerning the National Food Authority, required immediate attention.
It was essential for farmers’ concerns to reach President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he said, adding the dialogue provided a platform to explore practical solutions collaboratively.
The September 27 forum brought together key stakeholders, including provincial agriculturist Sergio Galamgan, city and municipal agriculturists, leaders of Irrigators Associations and Farmers’ Cooperatives, mayors and other city officials.
Dy detailed plans to expand storage and distribution infrastructure, addressing reports of low-priced wet palay and highlighting operational drying facilities in Cabagan, Echague, Cauayan and San Mariano.
Additional facilities are planned to improve accessibility for farmers across all six districts of Isabela.
He called for strengthened coordination with provincial agencies and the Department of Social Welfare and Department to support tens of thousands of farmers, citing the province has over 119,000 registered farmers.
During the dialogue, farmers raised specific concerns.
Under the 2026 national budget, cash assistance and crop insurance would be made available to one million farmers to effectively address farmers’ requests, Dy said.
