For Danilo Catacutan, a member of an irrigators’ association in Ibaan, Batangas, the turnover on Monday of PhP799.5 million worth of equipment to National Irrigation Administration (NIA) field offices signals improved irrigation and better income for farmers.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial turnover of the NIA-procured operations and maintenance equipment and vehicles in Taguig City to increase farm productivity and ensure food security.
The turnover of equipment was the third and last tranche under the NIA’s re-fleeting program, in which Catacutan expressed optimism that they would benefit from.
“Opo naman, napakalaking tulong upang makaganda ‘yung aming irrigation lalo kasi marami nang sira eh. Kasi kung ‘yan ay gagamitin sa patubig, malaking tulong,” the farmer noted. “Maraming salamat po kay Pangulo at nakaraming biyaya ang dumating sa aming mga farmers.”
He noted that the water supply from the irrigation system is not adequate to meet the needs of Ibaan farmers, who cultivate palay and vegetables due to poor infrastructure.
Catacutan added that flood water initially inundates and eventually destroys the irrigation gate made only of “coco-lumber.”
With the new equipment, he expressed belief that irrigation infrastructure could be rehabilitated and improved, lessening the impact of floodwater.
Speaking during the event, NIA Administrator Eddie Guillen said that with Monday’s turnover, the government could show the farmers all over the country that it is working for their welfare.
Guillen said government service is not measured by the number of hours spent in the office, but by the presence of NIA personnel who actively visit and engage communities.
The NIA chief expressed gratitude to the President for backing the agency’s re-fleeting program.
“Mula sa puso, nagpapasalamat kami kay Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at sa Kongreso, lalo na kay Speaker Romualdez at sa lahat ng tumulong sa programang ito. Dahil sa inyo may panibagong pag-asa ang libu-libong pamilya sa kanayunan,” Guillen said.
The success of the program is also the success of Filipino farmers who wake up every day and toil to provide families with food on their tables, Guillen said. | PND
