SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez recognized irrigators associations (IAs) as critical partners in ensuring the country’s food security, hailing their invaluable contribution as among the “heroes of agriculture.”
Speaking before hundreds of irrigators and farmers gathered for the 2025 Nationwide NIA-IA Congress held at Canyon Woods Resort Club in Laurel, Batangas on Wednesday Speaker Romualdez pledged full legislative support to uplift and address their longstanding concerns.
“Hindi lang ito seminar. Hindi lang ito palitan ng mga plano. Ito ay pagtitipon ng mga tunay na bayani ng agrikultura – kayo,” Speaker Romualdez said.
The congress, spearheaded by NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen, among others, aimed to strengthen collaboration between irrigators, government agencies and legislators.
In his speech, Speaker Romualdez underscored the central role irrigation plays in the livelihood of Filipino farmers, directly linking adequate water supply to food security nationwide.
“Hindi na po kailangang ipaliwanag pa kung gaano kahalaga ang papel ng patubig sa buhay ng magsasaka. Kung walang patubig, walang ani. Kung walang ani, walang pagkain sa hapag ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” Speaker Romualdez stressed.
He further assured IA leaders of Congress’ deep appreciation for their efforts and sacrifices, calling them frontline partners in the national economy, especially amid the persistent challenges faced by the agriculture sector.
“Kinikilala namin ang inyong sakripisyo at kontribusyon sa ating ekonomiya. Kayong mga kasapi ng IAs ay katuwang namin sa pagtataguyod ng food security ng bansa. Sa Kongreso, tinuturing namin kayong mga frontliners ng food supply chain,” Speaker Romualdez emphasized.
Speaker Romualdez also acknowledged the farmers’ pressing concerns raised during community visits, ranging from farm inputs, machinery, subsidies, insurance, water permit fees, to educational scholarships for their children.
“Narinig ko ang mga hinaing ninyo – mula sa farm inputs, makinarya, at subsidiya, hanggang sa insurance, water permit fees, at scholarship para sa mga anak ninyo. Lahat ng ito ay lehitimo. Hindi ito luho, ito’y pangangailangan,” he noted.
