Through the NIA Memorandum Circular No. 108, series of 2018, or the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10969, Otherwise Known as the Free Irrigation Service Act (FISA), the National Irrigation Administration Region V through the leadership of Engr. Gaudencio M. De Vera conducts the Awarding of Certificate of Condonation and Exemption of Irrigation Service Fee amounting to over P2.5B to some 4000 farmer-beneficiaries across the region on October 25, 2023 at the NIA ROV Covered Court.
The event was participated by NIA RO5 top officials, Department of Agriculture through its Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer, Mr. Marcial T. Bustarga, and Rice Clustering and Consolidation Program Director, Mr. Emerson S. Yago, and Confederation of Irrigation System Associations in Bicol (CISAB) President, Mr. Daniel P. Estrella.
Highlighted during the program is the awarding of the certificate of condonation of outstanding Irrigation Service Fee (ISF) to consumers of water derived from the National Irrigation Systems (NIS) amounting to P420,062,076.91 from 4,119 individual farmland owners with a total land area of 4,328. 46 hectares regionwide. Moreover, 333 IAs with a total land area of 34,832.90 hectares with unpaid ISF amounting to P2,136,739,664.53 from the Communal Irrigation Systems (CIS) also received their certificates during the program.
Farmer-beneficiaries with landholding of eight ( 8 ) hectares and below are qualified to apply for the exemption, and those with outstanding ISF amortization loans are advised to visit the nearest NIA office in their respective areas to apply for the said program.
Alongside the awarding of certificates of condonation and exemption, the NIA ROV also held the Kadiwa sa NIA, participated in by various IAs across the region. Fresh produce and by-products brought by the participants were showcased for sale to the public at the NIA ROV compound in Panganiban Drive, Naga City.
Living up to the event’s theme, “Bunga ng Bayanihan para sa Mamamayan”, the National Irrigation Administration stays committed to aiding Filipino farmers towards reaching its goal of food security for the nation.
(Source: Press Release-NIA)