Dy Returns to Isabela as House Speaker, Engaging Farmers in Cauayan
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III made a strategic stop in Isabela last Saturday, returning to his home province for a pivotal dialogue with the rural sector. Held at the Isabela Convention Center (ICON) in Cauayan City on September 27, the meeting gathered a broad cross-section of agricultural stakeholders to hear the concerns of farmers and lay out government plans designed to safeguard rice availability and uplift livelihoods across Isabela’s six districts.
The forum occurred just ten days after Dy, representing Isabela’s 6th district, ascended to the Speakership. The decision to convene the farmers’ dialogue so soon after his rise to the post underscored the new leadership’s commitment to frontline agricultural issues and to keeping rural voices at the center of policy discussions.
A Who’s Who of Local Agricultural Leadership
Attendees reflected a broad governance framework: Provincial Agriculturist Sergio Galamgan; city and municipal agriculturists; leaders of Irrigators Associations and Farmers’ Cooperatives; and several mayors and city officials from Cauayan. The diverse mix of participants highlighted the multi-layered approach needed to address farming challenges that span policy, budgeting, irrigation, and market access.
Speaker Dy used the stage to outline the government’s programs and budget allocations intended to ensure rice availability while sustaining local farming communities. He stressed the importance of translating national policy into practical, on-the-ground support for farmers, particularly in times of market volatility and supply concerns.
Infrastructure and Coordination: Building a More Resilient Rice Sector
Central to Dy’s message was a plan to expand storage and distribution infrastructure to improve access to agricultural outputs, especially rice. He cited ongoing developments with drying facilities in Cabagan, Echague, Cauayan, and San Mariano as part of a broader, six-district initiative to boost post-harvest efficiency and reduce losses in the supply chain.
Dy also called for strengthened coordination with provincial agencies and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD to bolster support for tens of thousands of farmers here. With Isabela reporting more than 119,000 registered farmers, the emphasis was on ensuring that support programs reach those who need them most and are easy to access through integrated government services.
Specific Farmer Concerns and Government Responses
During the dialogue, several farmers raised concrete requests. Anak Bakir of San Mateo asked for additional solar dryers through the Department of Agriculture to minimize post-harvest losses. A Cauayan farmer urged a policy shift that would convert fertilizer subsidies into cash assistance, a move aimed at giving farmers greater flexibility. A San Agustin farmer requested seed subsidies, with a preference for hybrid seed varieties that could improve yields and resilience.
Dy indicated that the government’s 2026 national budget, projected at P6.793 trillion, would address these needs by providing cash assistance and crop insurance to about one million farmers. The response signaled a clear intent to align financial support with farmers’ stated priorities, while maintaining prudent budgeting and program efficiency.
Budget Context and the Road Ahead
The dialogue took place as the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) moved through plenary debates in the House. Dy’s commitment to targeted farmer support and to strengthening agricultural productivity is framed within the broader fiscal plan, with the aim of restoring public confidence in Congress through tangible, farm-centric outcomes.
Speaking to the farmers, the Speaker emphasized the broader goal of building a more resilient agricultural sector that can weather fluctuations in markets and climate. The approach centers on practical infrastructure, smarter subsidies, and a more coordinated network of agencies that can deliver results on the ground while maintaining responsible budgeting practices.
Conclusion: A Shared Path Toward Stronger Agricultural Livelihoods
As Isabela looks toward a future of enhanced farming productivity and stable rice supply, the farmers’ dialogue with Speaker Dy underscored a shared commitment: turning national budgets into real-world benefit, strengthening the resilience of Isabela’s agriculture, and restoring public trust through consistent, accountable support for farmers across all six districts.
