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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3302

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE NOEL L. VILLANNUEVA.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Secretary Emmanuel Pifol of the Department of Agriculture (DA), in press
statements and radio interviews, has been batting for the abolition of the collection of
service fees being collected by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in order to
help alleviate the standard of living of the poor farmers. However, this cannot be done
without repealing the existing law on the matter

This bill therefore seeks to abolish the collection of irrigation service fees and
administrative charges by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) from farmers and
to condone all unpaid debts incurred by the farmers pursuant to Section 2 (c) of Republic
Act No, 3601 as amended by Presidential Decree No. 552

It is worthy to note that the collection of irrigation service fees and administration
charges from beneficiaries of water from all irrigation system was primarily intended to
recover the costs of construction of irrigation systems, However, due to the common
problems brought about by low production and aggravated by other problems like the
rising cost of fertilizers and farm laborers, the collection of irrigation service fees and
administration charges had become an additional burden to our poor farmers resulting in
their failure to settle their financial obligations with the NIA.

With the abolition of irrigation service fees and condonation of debts incurred in
the past as proposed in the bill, many farmers, particularly in Central Luzon will be
encouraged to plant rice as they will be given more opportunity to earn without thinking
of financial obligations that effectively reduced their incomes. This situation will
effectively help the government in its effort to attain rice self-sufficiency

In view of the foregoing reasons, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought

(HQ

NOEL L. VILLANUEVA
Representative
Third District, Tarlac


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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3302

HOUSE BILL NO,

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE NOEL L. VILLANNUEVA

AN ACT.
ING THE COLLECTION OF 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

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 Act No. 3601, as amended
by Presidential Decree No. $52, are hereby written-off

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

Approved,