Romualdez urges irrigators to raise their concerns with lawmakers
House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Inquirer Photo/Jesus Niño Orbeta
MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has urged irrigators across the country to discuss issues with lawmakers and join hearings so that their concerns can be addressed by Congress.
Romualdez was speaking before irrigators and farmers gathered for the 2025 Nationwide NIA-IA (National Irrigation Administration – Irrigators Association) Congress in Laurel, Batangas. He said the House under his leadership would continue to support the agriculture sector through legislation and creation of new policies that would improve the current situation.
“I am urging you, IAs, farmers’ organizations — join the hearings of Congress. Join the deliberations. Tell us what kind of laws you would need,” Romualdez, speaking in Filipino, said on Wednesday.
“Don’t hesitate to air your sentiments. You are not mere listeners, you are the reason why we have laws to craft. And under my watch as leader of the House of Representatives, I will ensure that your voices are heard,” he added.
Importance of irrigation
According to the Speaker, farmers and irrigators can play an important role in crafting new policies and ensuring that existing regulations and laws protecting their welfare are implemented.
Romualdez also assured the sector that he will personally check the pending bills and inquiries related to the agricultural sector.
“I hear your concerns — from farm inputs, machinery, and subsidies, up to the insurance, water permit fees, and scholarship for your children. These are all legitimate concerns, these are not excessive requests, but actual needs,” he stressed.
“As Speaker, I will personally check on the proposed measures that will address your needs. In creating a new policy and budget for the agriculture sector, we will ensure that the voice of the farmers would be heard,” he noted.
According to Romualdez, the meeting between farmers, irrigators, and the NIA also serves as a venue to exchange ideas and plans so that future programs are synchronized.
“This is not just a seminar. This is not just an exchange of plans. This is a meeting with the heroes of agriculture — you. I do not need to explain how important are the roles that you play for farmers,” he said. “If we do not have irrigation, we would have no yield. If we cannot not harvest anything, the Filipino family would not have their food.
Sacrifices and contribution
“We acknowledge your sacrifices and contribution to the economy. You who are part of IAs are our partner in building and ensuring the country’s food security. In Congress, we treat you as frontliners of the food supply chain.”
The House leadership has been supportive of NIA’s programs. In 2023, during the deliberations for the 2024 national budget, NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen wrote to Romualdez, asking for the restoration of the P90-billion worth of funding that was reduced in the National Expenditures Program.
READ: To fight El Niño: NIA asks House to restore P90-B budget that DBM slashed
While the entire NIA budget for 2024 was not restored, the House put back part of it. It made an P80 billion appropriation intended to build more dams, water reservoirs and solar irrigation systems.
READ: Romualdez: P500-B ayuda, funds for legacy projects part of 2024 budget
Previously, former House committee on appropriations chairperson and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co backed the solar irrigation project of NIA. He said it is a game-changer as it would provide farmlands with much-needed water while increasing agricultural yield.
In a statement last July 2024, Co said he supports the NIA’s Solar Irrigation project which includes 71 sites across Bicol Region, covering an area of 1,810 hectares — which will benefit 4,560 farmers in the region.
