Lawmakers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have joined mounting calls to stop the collection of irrigation service fees (ISF) from farmers. Rep. Horacio Suansing Jr. (2nd District, Sultan Kudarat) and his wife, Rep. Estrellita Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija) filed House Bill (HB) No. 294 for this purpose, noting that it would greatly ease the burden of the farmers. “Irrigation is needed to increase the productivity of farmers especially in the production of major staples, such as rice and corn and is therefore key in ensuring the food security of the Filipino people,” noted Suansing Jr. The Mindanao solon said irrigation plays an important role in making crop diversification viable as it generally enhances multi-cropping even during the dry season. “Irrigation is one of the primary factors for the growth of agricultural productivity. Given the strategic importance of irrigation in pursuing sustained agricultural growth and development, rice-sufficiency, food security and [...]
