Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and National Irrigation Administration head Eduardo Guillen lead the ceremonial turnover of Castañas Centro CIS Solar-powered Pump Irrigation Project (SPIP) at Barangay Castañas in Sariaya, Quezon Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Also in photo are Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez, Sariaya Mayor Marcelo Gayeta, Councilor Frederico Alday and other NIA officials. The SPIP will enable farmer beneficiaries to save roughly P80,000 per cropping season in contrast to diesel-powered irrigation pump.
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday reaffirmed the commitment of Congress to expand access to modern, sustainable irrigation systems for Filipino farmers, emphasizing the life-changing impact of solar-powered pump irrigation projects (SPIPs) on rural communities.
Speaking at the inauguration of the ₱50-million Castañas Centro Communal Irrigation System (CIS) in Barangay Castañas, Sariaya, Quezon, Speaker Romualdez emphasized that the project, which now irrigates 50 hectares and benefits 33 farmer-families, symbolizes more than just infrastructure development.
“Narito tayo para magbukas ng mas malaking oportunidad para sa ating mga magsasaka at sa buong komunidad ng Sariaya,” Speaker Romualdez declared. “Simple ang layunin: siguraduhin na ang bawat tanim, bawat ani, at bawat pangarap ng ating mga magsasaka ay hindi mauubos dahil sa kakulangan ng tubig.”
He highlighted the tangible benefits of solar irrigation, noting how it eases farmers’ burdens.
“Sa halip na gumastos ng hanggang ₱80,000 kada cropping season para sa diesel, ngayon po ay solar-powered na ang ating patubig—mas mura, mas maaasahan, at mas maka-kalikasan,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez stressed that supporting practical, grassroots-centered projects like SPIPs is a clear priority for Congress.
“Ito ang klase ng mga proyektong inuuna ng Kongreso: Praktikal. Direktang nakikinabang ang tao. Hindi drawing. Hindi papel,” he emphasized.
This commitment is not isolated to Sariaya. During the 2025 Nationwide National Irrigation Administration-Irrigators Association (NIA-IA) Congress last month, Speaker Romualdez pledged continued congressional support for SPIPs nationwide, citing their role in uplifting agricultural communities.
For his part, NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen praised the House’s efforts, noting that SPIPs are faster and cheaper to deploy compared to traditional irrigation systems—costing only ₱200,000 to ₱300,000 per hectare, compared to ₱1.2 million per hectare for conventional projects.
Guillen said NIA has completed around 1,000 SPIPs in 2024 and is on track to accomplish another 1,000 for this year.
Speaker Romualdez noted that Congress significantly increased NIA’s budget over the past two years.
“Alam natin ang kahalagahan ng patubig sa pagpapaunlad ng produksyon at agrikultura. We are committed to providing NIA with appropriate funding support for the expansion our irrigation system to help boost the productivity and uplift the lives of our farmers,” he said.
He encouraged the community to care for the new system, saying: “Kaya’t hinihikayat ko kayong pangalagaan, pagyamanin, at palakasin ang mga benepisyo ng proyektong ito—para sa inyo, para sa inyong mga anak, para sa susunod pang mga henerasyon.”
“Ang tagumpay ninyo, tagumpay ng buong Pilipinas,” Speaker Romualdez.
Concluding his message, Speaker Romualdez noted that the Castañas Centro CIS demonstrates how innovation, sustainable energy, and government action can work together to build a stronger future for farmers and the nation.
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