NIA, DA, NOVO ECIJANO FARMERS CELEBRATE GAINS FROM DOUBLE DRY SEASON
NIA UPRIIS – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen joined the NIA Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS) Harvest Festival for Double Dry Crop 2025 in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija on August 12, 2025.
During the event, a ceremonial harvesting of palay was conducted on the 5.7-hectare farmland of Mr. Arsenio Mallare, a member of the Hoy Gising Irrigators Association, Inc., in Barangay Talipapa. The activity symbolizes the success of the government’s intensified rice production strategy under the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP). The program supported a total of 76,075 hectares for double-dry initiatives in the UPRIIS service area. This exceeded the original target of 61,985 hectares by 14,090 hectares. Sec. Tiu Laurel highlighted that the event is the result of collective efforts among irrigation and agricultural stakeholders.
“This harvest is more than the fruit of planting. It is the result of collective commitment, hard work, and shared belief that Filipino farmers can lead our journey to food security," the Secretary said. In his message, NIA Administrator Guillen lauded farmers’ perseverance and expressed his gratitude for their hard work and sacrifices.
"Sa ating mga magsasaka, alam ko po na hindi biro ang inyong pagod at sakripisyo. Kalabisan man po, nais ko pong humiling ng isang bagay sa inyo: sana hindi po kayo magbago. Huwag po sana kayong magsasawa. Patuloy po tayong magtanim ng pag-asa, magdilig ng mga pangarap, at mag-ani ng tagumpay," Administrator Guillen said.
The harvest festival comes on the heels of a record-breaking first-half palay output of 9.08 million metric tons, earlier reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). With the first half output normally account for around 45 percent of the annual production, the January to June harvest bode well for the target of DA to produce a record 20.46 million metric tons of palay by year-end.
Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan had credited the resurgence to favorable weather and government interventions. He noted the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sector grew 7 percent in the 2nd Quarter, marking a strong rebound after last year’s contraction due to the impact of the dry spell caused by El Niño.
Through a coordinated push involving the DA, NIA, NFA, and local governments, farmers received free seeds, fertilizer, mechanization support, and market access. DA said that it remains focused on strengthening partnerships, increasing productivity, and ensuring better incomes for Filipino rice farmers.
“Every harvest season is proof that progress is possible, if we do it together, do it well, and do it right,” Sec. Tiu Laurel said. He added that the festival was not only a celebration of yield, but of unity in purpose for a Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas.
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