Member of the Parliament (MP) Mohammad S. Yacob, Ph.D., delivered his sponsorship speech on the BTA-Parliament Bill No. 42 entitled “An Act Strengthening Irrigation Systems in the Bangsamoro Region and Providing Funds Therefor and For Other Purposes” introduced by the Government of the Day during the Second Regular Session of the BTA-Parliament today, May 16, 2023.
The bill aims to create a separate and distinct government body from the National Government to the Bangsamoro Government in close collaboration with the National Irrigation Administration.
In his speech, MP Yacob emphasizes the problems faced by most of the farmers in the Region and a solution to these problems.
“Irrigation remains to be a key factor in agriculture and rice production, and it is time that we give it due attention. For farmers relying only on the rainy season, their production is generally limited to only once a year with very low productivity. In 2018 only 1⁄3rd of potentially irrigable areas in the Bangsamoro areas were served by our Irrigation facilities. This is 2⁄3rd of potentially irrigable areas due to the failure of our government to serve our farmers. Two-thirds of potential food products were lost due to the lack of irrigation,” MP Yacob said.
“Ladies and gentlemen of this Parliament, during our field visits, many farmers repeatedly ask us for solar irrigation and any help in establishing an irrigation system to help them farm during droughts. This bill will help us all sustain our blessings of food and, more importantly, help the farmers.” He added.
MP Yacob ended his speech with a call to his fellow Members of the Parliament to help address the problems of the Bangsamoro farmers by passing this crucial bill.
The said bill was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (CAFAR) for further review and scrutinization.
Office of MP Mohammad S. Yacob
