Ei TATIVE
4 RECEIVED
95 JUL 2016

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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS ~ sa |

First Regular Session BI O INDEX SEP viCE
ANDI ui
re eee
HOUSE BILL No, L053 _

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE MAGNOLIA ROSA C. ANTO!

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 3601 as amended, explicitly mandated the National Irrigation
Administration (NIA) to conduct multi-purpose water resources designed primarily for irrigation
The framers of the law intended 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 twin
objectives of poverty alleviation and uplifting the quality of life of the farmers in the
countrysides. It is sad to note however, that this authorized the collection of irrigation fees and
administration charges from beneficiaries of water from all irrigation system to recover the cost
of construction, Due to the common problems brought about by low production coupled with the
rising cost of fertilizers, chemicals, and farm labor, as had been experienced by majority of the
farmers, the collection of irrigation fees and administration charges had become an additional
burden to our poor farmers

It is important to note that when this law was enacted in 1963 and was amended eleven
(11) years later, the situation was entirely different from now. The government now, has devoted
substantial portion of its government resources in building irrigation systems and encourage more
farmers to plant rice throughout the country in the hope of attaining rice self-sufficiency

‘There are numerous bills which seek to condone the payment of irrigation fees and
administration charges. However, such legislative measures would not in any way address the
problem. Due to the prevailing financial condition of the government, it cannot afford to construct
and maintain irrigation projects without collecting charges from the farmers, But the government
must be considerate enough to grant subsidy to the farmers in order to alleviate their plight.

This bill therefore seeks to grant subsidy to farmers by deducting an amount equivalent to
fifty percent (50%) from the total irrigation fees or administration charges. It is the primordial
concern of this measure to provide a lasting solution acceptable and beneficial to both the
government and the farmers.

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

<
acne batt

Representative
Fourth District, Nueva Eeija



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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.__ 10

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE MAGNOLIA ROSA C. ANTONINO

AN ACT
GRANTING FIFTY PERCENT (50%) GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY IN IRRIGATION
FEES OR ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES COLLECTED FROM FARMERS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO, 3601, AS AMENDED

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. entitled, “An Act Creating the National Irrigation Administration” is hereby
amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 2. Powers and Objectives. The NIA shall have the following
powers and objectives

(a)x x x

(b) To charge and collect from the beneficiaries of the water from all
irrigation systems constructed by or under its administration, such fees or
administration charges as may be necessary to recover the cost or operation,
maintenance, and insurance, and to recover the cost of construction within a
reasonable period of time to the extent consistent with the government policy: to
recover funds or portions thereof expended for the construction and/or
rehabilitation of communal irrigation systems which funds acerue to a special
funds for irrigation development under Section 2 hercof]:|:, PROVIDED,
HOWEVER. THAT THERE SHALL BE DEDUCTED FROM THE TOTAL
IRRIGATION FEES OR ADMINISTRATION CHARGES AN AMOUNT
EQUIVALENT TO FIFTY PERCENT (50%) AS A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY
TO THE FARMER'S BENEFICIARIES UNDER THIS ACT.”

ANN XXX XXX.

SEC, 2. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations which are inconsistent
with this Act are hereby amended. repealed or modified accordingly

SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,