Speaker Martin G. Romualdez recognized irrigators associations (IAs) as critical partners in ensuring the country’s food security, hailing their invaluable contribution and designating them among the “heroes of agriculture.”
Addressing hundreds of irrigators and farmers gathered for the 2025 Nationwide NIA-IA Congress, held at Canyon Woods Resort Club in Laurel, Batangas, on Wednesday, Speaker Romualdez pledged full legislative support to uplift their conditions and address their longstanding concerns.
“This is not merely a seminar, nor simply an exchange of plans. This is a gathering of the true heroes of agriculture – you,” Romualdez stated, emphasizing the significance of the event beyond routine discussions.
The congress, spearheaded by NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen, aimed to strengthen collaboration between irrigators, government agencies, and legislators, fostering a unified approach to agricultural development.
In his address, Romualdez underscored the central role irrigation plays in the livelihoods of Filipino farmers, directly linking adequate water supply to national food security. “There is no need to further explain the vital role of irrigation in the life of a farmer. Without irrigation, there is no harvest. Without a harvest, there is no food on the table of every Filipino family,” Romualdez stressed, highlighting the fundamental connection between irrigation and sustenance.
He further assured IA leaders of Congress’s deep appreciation for their efforts and sacrifices, acknowledging them as frontline partners in the national economy, particularly amidst the persistent challenges faced by the agriculture sector. “We recognize your sacrifice and contribution to our economy. You, the members of the IAs, are our partners in promoting the country’s food security. In Congress, we consider you the frontliners of the food supply chain,” Romualdez emphasized, solidifying their importance in the national framework.
Romualdez acknowledged the farmers’ pressing concerns, which had been raised during community visits. These concerns ranged from the availability and affordability of farm inputs and machinery, the provision of subsidies and insurance, the management of water permit fees, and the establishment of educational scholarships for their children.
To concretely address these needs, Romualdez pledged personal oversight of pending legislative measures and the crafting of agricultural policies and budgets. He committed to ensuring that farmers’ voices remain integral in these processes. “As Speaker, I will personally focus on bills that will meet your needs. In the development of new policies and budgets for agriculture, I will ensure that the farmer’s voice has a place,” he assured the attendees, demonstrating a commitment to responsive legislation.
He then urged leaders of the IAs and farming organizations to actively participate in legislative discussions and deliberations. This participation, he emphasized, would ensure that the laws passed directly reflect their actual needs and address their specific challenges. He encouraged the farming sector to confidently engage with 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.
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. He underscored the interconnectedness of national progress and the well-being of the agricultural community.