NIA returns to DA

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has signed an executive order transferring the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) back to the Department of Agriculture (DA), as part of government efforts to ensure the country’s  food security.

Signed on April 25, Executive Order 168 directs the Governance Commission for government-owned or controlled corporations (GCG) to study the reorganization of the NIA board of directors, and submit its recommendation to the OP through the executive secretary.

“Due to the effects of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly affected the state of food security in the Philippines, there is a need to optimize the country’s water resources to adapt to these challenges, and pave the way for the modernization and industrialization of the agriculture sector,” the EO said.

The NIA was under DA’s jurisdiction from October 1992 until it was transferred to the Office of the President in 2014 through EO 165.‌

Agriculture Secretary William Dar earlier said the transfer of the DA to the NIA would lead to better water management and crop scheduling.

He also suggested the idea of opening NIA up for public-private partnerships.

The NIA was created through Republic Act 3601 with the purpose of expanding irrigated farmlands to support crop production, increase the productivity of farmers, and ensure a stable supply of farm commodities. 

NIA administrator Ricardo Visaya told The STAR the move would ccontribute to the improvement of the agriculture sector and  the attainment of food security.