Cabinet chief Evasco wants NIA, NFA abolished

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – Secretary to the Cabinet Leoncio Evasco Jr. disclosed that he would propose to President Duterte the abolition of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the National Food Authority (NFA) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

Evasco yesterday said that he has conducted a review of the three agencies under his office. He supervises nine other agencies.

NIA has been constructing big irrigation dams that have submerged several barangays and wasted a lot of funds, Evasco said.

He said that it would be better if small impounding facilities were constructed.

Bohol has three multibillion-peso irrigation dams, namely: Malinao in Pilar town, Capayas in Ubay and Bayongan in San Miguel.

He said the NFA has no money and has a P167-billion debt.

Evasco said he would advise Duterte to abolish the NFA or convert the agency to a regulatory body that would not be involved in the rice industry or interfere in the market.

He said the NEA’s mandate has already ended. It, however, appeared to be causing trouble for at least 129 electric cooperatives nationwide.

The proposed abolition still has to be studied, he said. Freeman