LAOANG, Northern Samar-Members of the House of Representatives from Samar island has called on President Benigno Simeon S. Aquino III for the construction of irrigation canals to ensure sufficient supply of rice in the country.

Rep. Emil L. Ong of Northern Samar’s 2nd district said the national government should prioritize funds for the construction of irrigation canals in various parts of the country so that the importation of rice by the Philippines from other neighboring Asian countries is likewise ceased.

Ong, who interpellated Samar’s 1st district congressman, Mel Senen S. Sarmiento in last week’s session in Congress, said that the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) should be given the second highest priority budget by the national government to enable the construction of more irrigation canals in rice producing provinces so that farmers are enabled in continuously planting rice, or as much as three times a year.

"Next to the Department of Education (DepEd) the NIA’s should be allotted the most budgetary funds as we need to see more irrigation canals being built to make certain that our rice farmers can plant and harvest rice virtually throughout the year,” urged Ong.