House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III met with farmers at the Isabela Convention Center in Cauayan City on September 27 to tackle pressing agricultural concerns.
The forum gathered Provincial Agriculturist Sergio Galamgam, local agriculturists, leaders of irrigators’ associations and farmers’ cooperatives, as well as several mayors and Cauayan City officials.
Dy acknowledged the critical challenges in agriculture and cited government programs and budget measures aimed at ensuring rice availability and supporting local farmers.
He noted that issues raised in recent weeks, particularly those involving the National Food Authority (NFA), required urgent attention.
The Speaker stressed that farmers’ concerns must reach the President and said the dialogue provided a platform for practical solutions.
He also outlined plans to expand storage and distribution infrastructure, citing operational drying facilities in Cabagan, Echague, Cauayan City, and San Mariano, with more facilities planned to serve all six districts of Isabela.
Dy further called for closer coordination with provincial agencies and the DSWD to support Isabela’s more than 119,000 registered farmers.
Farmers raised concerns during the dialogue, including requests for additional solar dryers, cash-based fertilizer subsidies, and hybrid seed support. These appeals were presented directly to the Speaker as priorities for government action.
Dy responded that under the 2026 budget, cash assistance and crop insurance would be extended to one million farmers, covering both requests.
A retired government official, now a farmer, also proposed reallocating DPWH funds to the NFA, with Dy assuring increased agricultural funding.
The dialogue ended with Dy reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthen agricultural productivity and livelihoods, vowing to build a more resilient sector, ensure responsible budgeting, and restore public confidence in Congress through targeted farmer support. – Isabela PIO
