The Confederation of Coconut Farmers Organization of the Philippines expressed their gratitude and support to 1 Pacman Partylist Rep. Mikee Romero and Rep. Eric Pineda who authored Republic Act No. 10969 or the “Free Irrigation Service Act”.
“Sadya po kaming pinagpala nang mapaupo ang tulad ni Cong. Romero at Cong. Pineda. Napakalaki po na tulong ito sa aming maliliit na magsasaka, kaya andito po kami at nagtipon-tipon upang ipakita ang aming suporta sa 1-Pacman Partylist,” according to Anton, one of the Cocofed attendees.
The qualified beneficiaries of the free irrigation program shall include farmers, irrigators’ associations and farmers’ cooperatives.
“Owners or operators of corporate farms, plantations, fishponds and other non-agricultural crop users drawing water or using the drainage facilities of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) irrigation systems are not qualified beneficiaries of the program,” cleared by Rep. Romero.
Lastly, the bill repeals Section 2, paragraph (c) of Republic Act No. 3601 or ‘’An Act Creating the National Irrigation Administration”; Section 1, paragraph (b) of Presidential Decree No. 552; Section 1, paragraph (b) of P. D. No. 1702, otherwise known as “The National Irrigation Administration Act”; Section 35 of Republic Act 8435, otherwise known as the ‘’Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997”; and all other laws, executive and administrative orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the Act.
