House approves free irrigation to farmers on 3rd and final reading

THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved a measure on third and final reading that seeks to provide free irrigation for farmers before the chamber adjourned last month.

With a vote of 220, zero negative and abstention, the House approved House Bill (HB) 5670 or the proposed Free Irrigation Act on May 29.

Under the bill, all irrigation systems constructed, built, funded, operated or managed, and maintained by the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), Department of Agriculture, other government agencies, or those that have been turned over to farmers’ organizations, irrigators’ associations and local government units will now be available free.

Moreover, all unpaid irrigation services fees in national irrigation systems and amortization payment of loans in construction or rehabilitation of irrigation systems and the corresponding penalties or interests due from farmers will be deemed waived.

Under HB 5670, qualified beneficiaries of the free irrigation system include only farmers, irrigators’ associations, and farmer cooperatives.

“Owners or operators of corporate farms, plantations, fishponds and other nonagricultural crop users drawing water or using the drainage facilities of the NIA irrigation systems are not qualified beneficiaries of the Program,” the approved bill read.

Meanwhile, the measure also states that funding for construction, repair or maintenance of irrigation systems will be included in the annual budget of the NIA under the General Appropriations Act.

The NIA, in cooperation with the Agriculture department, is mandated to draft the proposed law’s implementing rules and regulation.

Meanwhile, the counterpart measure in the Senate, Senate Bill 1465, was approved on second reading on May 31. Congress resumes session on July 24.

IN THIS 2015 photograph, a farmer works in a rice field near the International Rice Research Institute in Laguna, south of Manila.