The respective budgets of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for 2025 successfully passed plenary deliberations at the House of Representatives, with several lawmakers pledging to further increase funding allocations to boost farm production and enhance farm incomes.

For 2025, the DA is set to receive a budget of P200.19 billion, reflecting a *19.5* percent increase from this year’s National Expenditure Program (NEP). The NIA’s proposed budget stands at P42.57 billion, slightly higher than last year’s NEP of P41.7 billion.

In his sponsorship speech, Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco underscored the critical role agriculture plays in providing food for every Filipino, in pushing the economy and creating more jobs.

“However, I am also acutely aware of the challenges that confront our farmers. From low farm productivity and competitiveness to high production cost, bad weather and onslaught of pest and diseases,” said Rep. Tiangco. “What we envision today, therefore, is a modernized, sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural sector that prioritizes food security, access to safe and quality food for consumers, and economic prosperity for all Filipinos,” he added.

Rep. Tiangco said farmers and fishermen have always fought against the weather, pest and disease, and the hardship of poverty. “As servants of the people, our message to them today and all days to follow is that: The government is willing and able to fight alongside them and will fully support them,” he added.

Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, who co-sponsored the budgets for both agencies, acknowledged that even with the increase in NEP allocation, the outlays aren’t enough to cover the needs of agriculture given the lack of significant investments over the last three decades and the growing food requirements of the country.  She said funds that will be allocated for agriculture is an “investment in the future of our country.”

She noted that additional funding could be secured during the bicameral conference committee discussions to finalize the General Appropriations Act. “Agriculture is a priority of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.,” she said.

Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado emphasized the necessity of modernizing Philippine agriculture. “We really need to increase the budgetary allocation for the Department of Agriculture. How can you expect to modernize agriculture with this budget?” he said.

Rep. Bordado said improving the lives of millions who depend on the farm sector and reducing dependence on food imports are imperative for a food secure nation.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. welcomed the pledges of support for additional funding. “Any additional budget that we could get from Congress will allow DA to step up efforts to ensure food security, modernize agriculture, and improve the lives of millions of farmers, fishermen, and their families,” the DA chief said. ###

Author: DA Press Office | 25 September 2024