PBBM TELLS NIA: DON’T WAIT FOR FARMERS TO COME TO YOU

June 8, 2025 Provincial

P800-M machinery to NIA field offices

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

Government service is a public trust. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday rallied National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to take a more proactive role by reaching out to farmers directly and addressing their concerns on the ground. President Marcos made the call during Monday (June 2) turnover ceremony in Taguig City, where he handed over symbolic keys to representatives of the NIA field
offices for a total of 229 specialized vehicles, worth P 799.568 million, which were distributed under the third and final tranche of the NIA’s re-fleeting program,based on Presidential Communications Office (PCO) release.

The refleeting program marks a significant boost to NIA’s operational capabilities, with modernized equipment and vehicles ensuring faster response times and improved maintenance of irrigation facilities nationwide. “Huwag hintayin na sila ang lumapit sa inyo. Kayo na ang umikot sa ating mga magsasaka. Pabilisin ang tugon sa kanilang problema. At higit sa lahat, maglingkod nang tapat,” the President stressed. “Saksi ako sa inyong sipag sa paglilingkod sa ating mga magsasaka. Ngunit hiling ko sa inyo na pag-igtingin pa ang pagsisilbi. Makinig sa kanilang mga hinaing,” President Marcos added.

President Marcos reminded NIA officials and personnel to honor the public’s trust by ensuring their duties are carried out with integrity
and efficiency. Putting premium on accountability and stewardship, President Marcos urged NIA employees to take full responsibility for the new resources entrusted to them. “Kaya po ang hiling ko sa lahat ng kawani ng NIA: ingatan, alagaan, at gamitin ninyo ang mga sasakyan at pasilidad nang wasto,” President Marcos said. Also, the President rallied support for climate-resilient agriculture, stressing his
administration’s commitment to boosting agricultural resilience amid worsening climate change, emphasizing the need for swift and lasting solutions to irrigation issues and greater preparedness for both droughts and heavy rains.

“Napakahalaga ng re-fleeting program ng NIA lalo na po sa panahon ngayon. Mabigat ang pagsubok na kinakaharap ng ating mga magsasaka dahil nga sa dinudulot ng climate change,” President Marcos told key NIA officials and personnel. The President said the government must stay one step ahead of unpredictable weather patterns that threaten the country’s food supply, adding that irrigation systems must be prepared and responsive at all times. NIA-CAR Regional Manager Engr Benito Espique, Jr., was among those NIA officials who was present in the ceremonial turnover activity.

Primo Agatep/ABN