Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5580

House Bill N

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

‘AN ACT REVOKING THE IRRIGATION SERVICE FEES (ISFs) IMPOSED ON FARMERS BY THE NATIONAL
IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 3601, PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 552 AND PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1702

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is 2 government-owned and controlled corporation
primarily responsible for irrigation development and management. The NIA’s functions include the
planning, designing, construction, and improvement of all types of irrigation projects. It is also

tasked to operate, maintain, and administer all national irrigation systems.

Under its Charter, the NIA is allowed to charge Irrigation Service Fees or ISFs in exchange for
providing irrigation to farmers, depending on the size of their farmlands. The ISFs were abolished by
then President Joseph Estrada when he delivered his first State of the Nation Address in 1998 but
were reinstated when NIA sought the adoption of a socialized irrigation fee system, as mandated by
Administrative Order No. 17 of August 1998. The ISFs are intermittently suspended, especially in

times of calamities when it was unreasonable to impose additional fees on farmers.

However, there is a need to revisit the status quo. Irrigation is a very basic governmental function
that can very easily be shouldered by the State. It does not have to be passed on to farmers.
Considering that it is a key factor in increasing agricultural productivity, having the State subsidize it
will go a long way in ensuring adequate food supply and the early recovery of the principal means of
livelihood of people in disaster-hit and poverty-stricken areas. Thus, itis the intention of this bill to

revoke the ISF and to make irrigation services free for all farmers,

It is for this reason that the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

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H. HARRY L. ROQUE, JR.


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENATIVES
‘Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5580

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

‘AN ACT REVOKING THE IRRIGATION SERVICE FEES (ISFs) IMPOSED ON FARMERS BY THE NATIONAL
IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 3601, PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 552 AND PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1702

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. “This Act shall be known as the “Free Irrigation Services Act.”

‘SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to adhere to the
Principle of integrated and holistic program of support services that will alleviate the situation of
farmers to enable them to attain their full potentials as productive forces of society.

The State adheres to the promotion of a comprehensive rural development program through
increased agricultural production and the adoption of necessary and sound measures to accelerate
the achievement of self-sufficiency in food, equitable access to opportunities and sustained
productivity as key strategies to raise the quality of life in rural areas and overall national

development.

Toward this objective, it shall endeavor to provide the necessary and vital support services and
assistance to farmers, including but not limited to inputs to production, production support, post-

harvest facilities and irrigation services.

SECTION 3, Revocation of the Irrigation Service Fees {ISF)- Upon the passage of this Act, all farmer
beneficiaries shall be exempt from the payment of thelrrigation Service Fees (ISFs) and the collection
thereof, including the collection of back accounts and the corresponding penalties therefore from
irrigation systems constructed, funded, and/or managed by the National Irrigation Administration,
shall be revoked immediately. in this regard, Section 2(c) of Republic Act 3601, Section 1(b) of


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Presidential Decree 552, and Section 1(b) of Presidential Decree 1702 are hereby repealed

accordingly

SECTION 4. Construction, Repair and Maintenance of National Irrigation A Systems. -For the purpose

of ensuring the continuity of the necessary construction, repair and maintenance of irrigation

systems administered by the National Irrigation Administration, the required amounts for the same
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

SECTION 5. Government Subsidy for the Management of Irrigation System. The State shall provide
the necessary subsidies to farmers and irrigators associations and cooperatives to ensure the
effective and grassroots-based management of irrigation systems, the funding of which shall likewise
be included in the annual GAA.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive orders, letters of
instruction, administrative orders, rules or regulations contrary to or inconsistent with this Act, or
which may be construed, either expressly or impliedly, to grant the National Irrigation
‘Administration the power to levy any kind of irrigation fee or other kind of monetary imposition, are
hereby repeated, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application of such provision to.
any person or circumstance is declared invalid, the remainder of the Act or the application of such

provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration. A

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) daysafter its publication in the

Official Gazette and newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,