Mexico City, Pampanga
August 7, 2024
“Itong programang [Re-fleeting Program] ito, this is a realization of our commitment to the efficient and effective functioning of our irrigation systems… This goes beyond just the provisions of new [machineries]; it also empowers our NIA regional offices, the irrigators’ associations, [and] our farmer beneficiaries to ensure the sustainability of our irrigation systems to avoid losses and to promote more efficient use of water resources that will in turn, produce better and more crops,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. conveyed as he led the turnover of 148 newly procured heavy equipment to the Regional Offices of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in a ceremony at Mexico City in Pampanga.
In his speech, the President highlighted that the national government has already distributed 141 units of excavators worth an estimated PhP776 million to 17 NIA Regional Offices as of December 2023, citing that these equipment are being utilized for the rehabilitation, preventive maintenance and repair of irrigation facilities throughout the country.
“Today, we are distributing additional 148 units of heavy equipment such as excavators, dump trucks, and truck-tractors with trailers to the NIA regional offices across the country,” he continued, underscoring that these investments in the country’s irrigation infrastructure demonstrate the Administration’s commitment to supporting the backbone of the Philippine economy – the agriculture sector.
“Through our re-fleeting program, we can instantly repair and build more irrigation facilities that were damaged by natural calamities, [and] stand strong against the challenges of shifting climate change… It is more important now as many parts of the country are still recovering from the onslaught of Typhoon Carina and Butchoy,” he added.
Furthermore, the Chief Executive acknowledged the valuable efforts of NIA in providing reliable and functional equipment, constructing and repairing irrigation facilities, as well as installing renewable energy-driven irrigation systems which uplift the lives of farmers and ensure the nation’s food security.
“Ating pinapalawig ang mga makabagong pamamaraan sa pagsasaka at patubig; pinapalakas ang ugnayan sa pagitan ng ating mga magsasaka at pamahalaan; at binibigyang suporta ang ating mga magsasaka upang makamit ninyo ang inyong mga pangarap at adhikain,” he said.
The President urged all farmer beneficiaries to continue enhancing farming practices through the programs implemented by the national government, reiterating the importance of collective efforts between the government and its citizens to strengthen the future of the country’s agricultural sector.
“Nais ko rin na malaman ninyo [na] kailanman, hindi po namin kayo pababayaan. Habang pinauunlad at ginagawa nating moderno ang sektor ng agrikultura, hindi natin [kakalimutan] at iiwanan ang bawat magsasakang Pilipino… Kaya tayo po ay magtulungan upang makamit ang isang maunlad at masaganang Bagong Pilipinas,” President Marcos Jr. ended in his speech.
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