Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. __ 3918

Introduced by: HON. LORETO LEO S. OCAMPOS

EXPLANATORY NOTE,

Irrigation has been a considerable instrament for increasing rice productivity in the
Philippines. Irrigation projects are often needed to improve agricultural productivity and increase
crop yields and cropping intensities by supplying sufficient amount of water to lands that would not
usually receive enough water from rainfall, other natural sources or during dry spells

‘The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is a government-owned and controlled
corporation (GOCC) primarily responsible for irrigation development in the Philippines. NIA aims
to deliver the right amount of water at the right time to every farm at least twice a year, Farmers pay
irrigation service fee for NIA's services in the delivery of water to the farms.

Small-scale rice farmers face hardships as each typhoon rages through their farms. The heavy
rains unleashed by back-to back-typhoons has damaged crops or affected their quality. Lost
revenues have made farmers unable to pay for irrigation fees due to the National Irrigation
Administration.

In an effort to promote rice farming in the Philippines and to ensure constant food supply,
this bills seeks to lessen the financial burden of small-scale rice farmers by condoning their
amortization arrears to NIA.

LORETO LEO S. OCAMPOS
Representative
2™ District, Misamis Occidental


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session.
3918

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by: HON. LORETO LEO S. OCAMPOS

AN ACT CONDONING THE AMORTIZATION ARREARS OF DEBT-RIDDEN
FARMERS IN SUBSIDIZED IRRIGATED LANDS TO THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION
ADMINISTRATION

Section 1. This Act shall be known as an Act Condoning the Amortization Arrears of Debt-ridden_
Rice Farmers in Subsidized Izrigated Lands to the National Irrigation Administration.

Section 2. It shall be the policy of the State to promote the welfare of the small-scale farmers. They
shall receive the highest consideration to promote social justice and the establishment of owner-
cultivatorship of economic-sized farms as the basis of Philippine agriculture.

Section 3. Coverage. Small-scale rice farmers and those rice farmers with annual income below the
rural poverty threshold in subsidized irrigated lands as determined by periodic census and by the
Department of Agriculture.

Section 4. Condonation. All outstanding irrigation fees, administration charges and penalties
incurred by Small-scale rice farmers and those rice farmers with annual income below the rural
poverty threshold to the National Irrigation Administration are hereby condoned.

Section 5. Prohibition. A farmer must not have availed of any previous condonation program from
any government institution or agency involved in the National Irrigation Administration.

Section 6, Implementing Agency. The National Irrigation Administration shall be the implementing
agency for this Act. The above agency shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations for
this Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid
and subsisting.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. ~ Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of
instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, ot inconsistent with the provisions
of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,