Turnover Ceremony of Procured Excavators of the National Irrigation Administration 12/13/2023

Olongapo City, Zambales
December 13, 2023

“It reflects our continuous commitment to develop and utilize our lands, a commitment that we take and embrace seriously. To ensure the productive and efficient use of our agricultural lands, it is imperative that we continue restoring and maintaining our irrigation systems,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stated, asserting the government’s continuous efforts to secure the country’s irrigation sector towards achieving a more improved agricultural productivity and ensuring the welfare of Filipino farmers.

The President made these remarks as he led the turnover of 141 units of wheeled excavators amounting to PhP776 million to the field offices of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Olongapo City, Zambales, where he underscored the importance of irrigation in establishing a more steady food supply and agricultural products for the country.

“Simula palang po ito at dadagdagan pa natin upang may kakayahan ang ating irrigators associations… lahat ng mga irrigation cooperatives, lahat ng namamahala sa patubig ng ating sinasakahan. It is a very important beginning,” he said.

President Marcos Jr. urged various government agencies to fast-track all projects that will further support and develop the agriculture sector.

“I urge the NIA to maximize the full potential of these equipment to assist our farmers so that their yields and incomes will increase, and sufficient and affordable food will continue to be readily available for our people,” he conveyed.

“I again call on the Department of Agriculture and the National irrigation Administration to assess our farmers’ needs and accelerate the construction of irrigation facilities from existing water sources,” he added.

Further, the Chief Executive called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of National Defense (DND) to study all possible interventions to mitigate the effects of El Niño, including cloud seeding and rain-making to ensure the continuous supply of water to the country’s farm lands.

He likewise directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to secure funds for the acquisition of needed machineries to further improve irrigation systems across the country.

“Let us continue to unite and work together to develop, modernize and improve our agriculture sector so we can achieve a more food-secure and prosperous future for all Filipinos,” President Marcos Jr. ended in his speech.

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