Press Release
February 9, 2018

Sen. JV: Free irrigation law to improve farmers' income

THE income of poor Filipino farmers are expected to increase and their economic condition are seen to improve after President Duterte signed into law Republic Act 10969 or the "Free Irrigation Services Act."

"This is surely one of the crucial reforms in the agricultural sector. As one of the proponents of this measure, I laud the signing of RA 10969 granting free irrigation to farmers owning not more than 8 hectares of land," he said in a statement.

Ejercito, the author of Senate Bill no. 1199 or the "Free Irrigation Services Act of 2016" said the law is expected to lessen the "out of pocket" production expenses of farmers and boost their harvest because of sufficient water for their farms, which will translate to more income for them.

"Our desire is to unburden our poor farmers from paying irrigation service fees. The law condones all unpaid irrigation fees and penalties of farmers who till the same size of land," he said.

RA 10969 also condones all loans, past due accounts and the corresponding interests and penalties of irrigation associations. "Some of the poorest of the poor in our society are from the agricultural sector. I hope this law helps them out of poverty and as a result contribute to sustaining our economic growth," he added.

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