In direct response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize the welfare of farmers during calamities, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) announced today its comprehensive plan to assist agricultural communities severely impacted by Severe Tropical Storm “Crising.” The initiative aims to facilitate the recovery and restoration of livelihoods for affected farmers.
During a virtual briefing held on Tuesday, NIA Administrator Eddie Guillen affirmed the agency’s full preparedness to extend crucial support to farmers whose crops and vital irrigation systems sustained damage from the recent storm.
“To our new heroes, the farmers, I assure you that NIA is always ready to help, especially during calamities like this,” Administrator Guillen stated, emphasizing the agency’s unwavering commitment. He further added, “The President’s instruction is to truly focus on the needs of our farmers. So, all of us are working together to ensure better services reach you.”
Administrator Guillen highlighted NIA’s close coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure the timely provision of essential farming inputs, including high-quality seeds and high-value crops, to the affected farmers. This collaborative effort is designed to accelerate rehabilitation and enable farmers to resume their agricultural activities swiftly.
Furthermore, Administrator Guillen expressed profound gratitude to President Marcos for the recent turnover of over 200 units of machinery, which will significantly bolster NIA’s capacity for faster rehabilitation and declogging of irrigation canals nationwide. The equipment, which includes vehicles, backhoes, dump trucks, and excavators, was turned over by President Marcos on June 2, specifically for irrigation operations and maintenance.
This concerted effort underscores the government’s dedication to supporting the agricultural sector and ensuring the resilience of Filipino farmers in the face of natural disasters.
