Ako Bicol Representatives, Deputy Minority Leader Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr. and Climate Change Committee Chairperson Christopher S. Co, attended the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Stakeholders Forum at Hotel St. Ellis, Legazpi City on Friday, December 1, 2017.
Ako Bicol Party List filed House Bill 526, which seeks to eliminate irrigation fees for farmers by repealing the provision in the National Irrigation Authority’s charter that imposes irrigation fees on the farmers.
“Our farmers already bear the costs of buying seedlings, leasing the farm lot, and buying beasts of burden to plow the land,” said Rep. Garbin.
“This will be a great fulfillment on our part as we endeavour to create opportunities and provide long-term solutions to give local farmers respite from irrigation costs,” Rep. Co added.