Renewing his call for improved public service, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday urged the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to take a more proactive role by reaching out to farmers directly and addressing their concerns on the ground.
President Marcos stated that NIA personnel should not wait for farmers to come to them with complaints, but instead should proactively seek out farmers and address their concerns immediately.
“Saksi ako sa inyong sipag sa paglilingkod sa ating mga magsasaka. Ngunit hiling ko sa inyo na pag-igtingin pa ang pagsisilbi. Makinig sa kanilang mga hinaing,” President Marcos said as he led the turnover of about PhP800 million worth of new equipment and vehicles to NIA field offices.
As the last and third tranche of NIA’s re-fleeting program, the PhP799.5 million worth of machinery would be used to repair and maintain irrigation systems.
“Huwag hintayin na sila ang lumapit sa inyo. Kayo na ang umikot sa ating mga magsasaka. Pabilisin ang tugon sa kanilang problema. At higit sa lahat, maglingkod nang tapat,” the President stressed.
President Marcos reminded NIA officials and personnel to honor the public’s trust by ensuring their duties are carried out with integrity and efficiency.
At the same time, the President asked NIA to ensure that all equipment, such as backhoes, dump trucks, and excavators, is properly used and maintained to ensure the continued operation of irrigation systems and facilities throughout the country.
With the proper irrigation system, President Marcos said farmers could boost their production, ensure a high-quality harvest, and earn a higher income.
The President also underscored the importance of NIA’s re-fleeting program in the face of threats posed by climate change to farmers.
“Mabigat ang pagsubok na kinakaharap ng ating mga magsasaka na dulot ng climate change—mas matinding init, mas malalang ulan, at pabago-bagong panahon,” President Marcos said. “Sa pamamagitan ng mga sasakyan at gamit na ito, may pagkain sa hapag at mas matatag na sektor ng agrikultura.” | PND
