HOUSE OF R “PRESENTATIVE
RECENLD
pave, 18 AUG 2016

sive Pome

BY: : i,

REC'STRATION UNIT
BILLS avo NOL ¥ S72VICE

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

VENTEENTH CONGRESS

Furst Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 3119

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE SALVIO B, EFORTUNO

PXPLANATORY NOTH

Republic Act No, 3601 was enacted to effectuate an economic means of
achieving, the optional and diversified utilization and control of water by undertaking,
integrated irrigation projects with the ends in view of promoting, increased agricultural
productivity. in order to achieve the bwin objectives of poverty alleviation. and
enhancement of the quality. of life of the farmers in the rural areas, However, the law
also authorizes the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) “To collect from the users

Hvach urigation system constructed by it such fees as may be necessary to finance the
continuous operation of the system and reimburse within a certain period not less than
(went live vears the cost of construction thereo!

Due to the imposition of irrigation lees and administrative charges, coupled by
y production and the rising costof fertilizers, chemicals and farm labor, many farmers
sonwide had defaulted 1 paving, such financial obligations to the NLA,

Considering, the time that has elapsed since ils enactment on June 22, 1963,
many developments had already happened in the agricultural sector that compelled the
government not to rely on the collection of irrigation fees fron the farmers, Instead, the
government had infused huge funding, for the construction of irrigation systems and
water systems charged against the

annual appropriation of the Department. of
rieulture, under which the NIA is an attached agency

This bill therefore seeks to abolish the Collection of irrigation fees and other
administrative charges end to condone the past debts incurred by the farmers arising
from the Financial obligations imposed by this antiquated law

in view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill 1s earmestly sought

‘
eben,
SALYV B. FORTUNO,
Representative
Fifth Digtrict, Camarines Sur



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

SEVENTEENTH CONG
First Regular Session

3119

ESS
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE SALVIO B, FORTUNO

AN ACT

\BOLISHING THE COLLECTION OF FARMERS! IRRIGATION FEES AND.
OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES: AND, GRANTING
CONDONATION OF UNPAID DEBTS, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE

SECTION 2 (b) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO, 3601, AS AMENDED BY
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 552

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

SECTION 1. Section 2 (b) of Republic Act No.

3601, as amended by
Presidential Decree No. 552, is hereby repealed
i}

All other laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, rules and

regulations, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed
or modified accordingly

SEC. 2. All debts incurred from failure to pay irrigation service fees and
administrative charges pursuant to Section 2 (b) of Republic
by Presidential Decree No, 552,

Act No. 3601, as amended

are hereby condoned.

SEC, 2. This Act shall effect fifteen (15) davs after its publication in the
Official Gazette or ina newspaper of general circulation

Approved,