Jun Torres

October 8, 2008
Manila Bulletin

Farm irrigators in Nueva Ecija thank Arroyo
By Magtanggol C. Vilar

CABANATUAN CITY – An umbrella organization of Novo Ecijano farmer irrigators comprising 17 groups thanked the administration of President Arroyo for its continuing support for the agricultural programs in the province.

Coursed through Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurlio M. Umali and Engineer Antonio Nangel, National Irrigation Administrtion-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Service (NIA_UPRIIS) operations manager, the message of thenks by the Dreamland Irrigators Association Inc. was in the form of a manifesto of support for President Arroyo and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.

The irrigators said that with the continuing support of the Arroyo administration, Nueva Ecija has maintained its position as a top producer of food.

The irrigators credited the Arroyo administration for the construction in Nueva Ecija of additional irrigation facilities such as the Casecnan and Aulo dams, which have improved the palay production capability of this province, dubbed as “the rice granary of the Philippines.”

In 2007, Nueva Ecija produced 1,231,176 metric tons of rice.

Also, farmers groups in the province were recipient of several flat-bed dryers.

Mrs. Arroyo distributed in Nueva Ecija last Sept. 2, on the occasion of the 112th Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija, a total of P1.2 billion in loans and subsidies to the members of 48 farm cooperatives.