“NIA ORIENTS PALAWAN FARMERS ABOUT IRRIGATION LAW”

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Palawan - Bayani P Ofrecio, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Consultant from the Office of the Deputy Administrator oriented 86 IA Presidents/Representatives of Irrigators Association about Republic Act 10969 or otherwise known as Free Irrigation Service Act (FISA) conducted by Palawan Irrigation Management Office headed by Engr. Conrado V. Cardenas, Jr. on April 30, 2019.

Republic Act 10969 or FISA is a law signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on February 2, 2018, that exempts the farmers from paying Irrigation Service Fee (ISF) for those individuals who have landholdings of 8 hectares and below, whether the water is from National Irrigation or Communal Irrigation System.

“Lahat ng gagawin nating irrigation project that will become irrigation systems later, 8 hectares and below ay exempted. Regardless of any crops, ang pinagbabasihan dito yong size ng landholdings. Individual landholdings”, said Engr. Ofrecio.

However, Landholdings of more than eight (8) hectares covered within the Firmed-Up Service Area (FUSA), Corporate farms, and plantations Fishponds; Other persons, natural or juridical, drawing water for non-agricultural purposes including those using the irrigation systems as drainage facilities shall be charged to the equal rate of ISF.

RATE OF IRRIGATION SERVICE FEE (ISF) FOR NON-EXEMPT FARMERS/IRRIGATION USERS

 

TYPE OF SYSTEM/CROP

WET SEASON

 CROPPING

DRY SEASON

CROPPING

THIRD

CROPPING

1. Reservoir System
  1. Rice

2.5 cav/ha  

3.5 cav/ha

3.5 cav/ha
  1. Other Crops

60% of the rate of rice
  1. Fishpond

6 cav/ha

2. Diversion System
  1. Rice

2.0 cav/ha

3.0 cav/ha

3.0 cav/ha
  1. Other Crops

60% of the rate of rice
  1. Fishpond

5 cav/ha

3. Pump System
  1. Rice

2-10 cav/ha

2.75-12 cav/ha

2.75-12  cav/ha
  1. Other Crops

60% of the rate of rice
  1. Fishpond

15 cav/ha

4. Stand-Alone Pump System 2/
  1. Rice

 

60% of the standard/prevailing rates for reservoir, diversion and pump systems as the case may be.
  1. Other Crops
  1. Fishpond

 

“Part of the declaration of the law is lowering the cost of production through the provision of free irrigation service, maraming item yong cause ng production and irrigation is just one,” he added

 

“The purpose of Implementing Rules and Regulation of FISA para maging guide nating lahat sa NIA, ibang agencies na may kinalaman sa irigasyon yong mga ibang stakeholders, esp. our farmer, yong IRR ito yong guide na hindi maaring magkaroon ng ibang interpretation, the purpose is to guide us, guide for all,” he pointed.

 

After the orientation, NIA palawan expects the IA leaders to proper dissenamate information with regards RA 10969 or the IRR of FISA. #Daryle C. Camara, NIA Palawan IMO