House Speaker Martin Romualdez (rightmost) accompanies President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (center) at the turnover of new heavy machinery for the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) (Speaker’s Office)

Speaker Martin Romualdez said the House of Representatives remains committed to supporting the initiatives of President Marcos aimed at boosting the productivity of Filipino farmers and the rest of the agricultural sector.

“The House of Representatives stands firmly behind President Marcos Jr.’s vision of a more productive and resilient agricultural sector,” Romualdez said in a statement Wednesday, Aug. 7.

“Our farmers are the backbone of our nation, and it is our duty to provide them with the necessary support to thrive,” he added.

Romualdez’s renewal of support comes following the turnover of 148 newly-acquired heavy equipment for the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) at Construction City in Mexico, Pampanga on Wednesday morning, Aug. 7.

In his message during the turnover, President Marcos cited the key role of Romualdez in ensuring the acquisition of NIA’s new set of hardware.

“Nandito rin po (Also here), the House Speaker, who was instrumental in making sure that the budget was restored so that we are able to do this,” the Chief Executive said.

The acquisition of new excavators, trailer trucks, and dumpers——with an aggregate cost of P782 million——is part of the second tranche of NIA’s three-year Refleeting Program.

The new heavy machinery will be used in the operation and maintenance of irrigation systems nationwide, which will help boost the productivity of Filipino farmers.

In line with this, Romualdez says the House is ready to thoroughly scrutinize the allocations seeking to enhance the country’s irrigation systems in the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the program’s current allocation for next year’s budget is at P42 billion.

“The proposed P42 billion allocation for irrigation is a testament to our dedication to improving agricultural productivity,” the House leader said.

“By ensuring that our farmers have access to adequate water resources, we can significantly increase crop yields and boost their income,” he stressed.

Romualdez underscored the importance of bolstering the agricultural sector to ensure food security, achieve sustainable growth, and improve the livelihood of Filipino farmers.

“The House of Representatives will conduct a detailed review of the proposed budget to ensure that the funds are utilized effectively and efficiently,” he continued.