Section 7Sec./Art. 7

Infrastructure Support. To facilitate the transport of sugarcane to mills and distilleries, enhance the marketing and export of sugar and other products derived from sugarcane, and complement productivity improvement measures in this Act, transport infrastructure, farm-to-mill roads, and irrigation facilities shall be provided.

(a) Transport Infrastructure. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), shall include in their annual Development Plans and Priority Investment Programs the immediate construction and/or improvement of existing transloading ports for export or coast-wide transport of sugar and other products derived from sugarcane in key sugarcane producing provinces. The SRA shall submit to these agencies, six (6) months from the start of the effectivity of this Act, a priority list of transloading ports covered by this provision.

(b) Farm-to-Mill Roads. The NEDA, the DA, the DPWH, and concerned LGUs, shall include in their annual Priority Investment Program the immediate construction and/or rehabilitation of farm-to-mill roads in key sugarcane producing provinces. The SRA shall prepare and submit to these agencies and LGUs, within six (6) months from the start of effectivity of this Act, a Farm-to-Mill Road Master Plan and priority farm-to-mill roads at the mill district as basis for the planning, programming and investment prioritization.

(c) Irrigation. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, and concerned LGUs, in coordination with the SRA, shall construct appropriate, efficient and cost effective irrigation facilities, pump and other pressurized irrigation systems, rain capture and water impounding facilities in block farms and other sugarcane farms. The SRA shall submit to these agencies the list of priority sugarcane areas within six (6) months from the start of the effectivity of this Act. The DA and the NIA shall include in its annual budget the item or provision on construction and rehabilitation of irrigation facilities, rain capture and water impounding facilities in sugarcane areas.

To promote the conservation of water resources and encourage and involve the participation of sugar mills, refineries and distilleries in providing irrigation to sugarcane areas, the utilization for irrigation of wastewater discharge of mills, refineries, or distilleries, that meet the specifications of the DA on the safe reuse of wastewater for irrigation, fertilization and other agricultural uses, is considered "reuse" and, therefore, exempt from wastewater charges under the system provided under Section 13 of Republic Act No. 9275, also known as the "Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004".