Duterte signs free irrigation law

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into a law a measure that effectively subsidizes irrigation for local farmers.

Duterte signed on February 2 Republic Act 10969 or the Free Irrigation Services Act which grants free irrigation to farmers owning not more than eight hectares of land, and condones unpaid irrigation fees by farmers who till the same size of property.

Farmers with more than eight hectares of land, corporate farms, plantations, fishponds, and those drawing water for non-agricultural purposes are not covered by free irrigation.

"[T]he State affirms its commitment to contribute to the lowering of the cost of production through the provision of free irrigation service, and further relieve the farmers and their irrigators associations from the burden and consequence of unpaid irrigation service fees," the law stated.

Concerned government agencies, farmers, irrigators associations, farmer cooperatives and other stakeholders should promulgate the implementing rules and regulations within three months from the effectivity of the law. —NB, GMA News