ORION, Bataan — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday distributed free irrigation pumps worth P4.5 million to farmer-groups in Bataan affected by Typhoon Josie and the monsoon rains.
“Limampung irrigation pumps ang ipamimigay natin sa Bataan,” he said.
Farmer-recipients were from Balanga City and the towns of Orion, Pilar and Limay.
Roque said that free irrigation of up to eight hectares of land was part of the bill he principally authored while he was in Congress that was approved into a law.
The free shallow tube well program comprising a diesel engine and water pump was funded by the National Irrigation Administration. The irrigation pump costs P90,000 each.
“Sa agrikultura kailangan ang patubig, binhi at pataba. Ang libreng irigasyon ay bilang pangako natin na itataguyod ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
Acting Mayor Virgilio Isidro and acting Vice-Mayor Rex Joseph Fuster led in welcoming Roque in Orion.
In Balanga City, Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III, Vice-Governor Cris Garcia and Mayor Francis Garcia joined Roque in distributing certifi cates of ownership of water pumps and relief goods.
JM Garcia of the Philippine Information Agency said that the presidential spokesperson has also distributed 50 fiberglass boats to fisherman-groups in 11 towns and one city in the province.
