Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3088

Introduced by Hon. ALAN 1 B. ECLEO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 552, it is the policy of the Sate to ensure
a comprehensive development, utilization, and conservation of the Philippines’ water
resources. This in turn will promote food self-sufficiency, equitable access to
opportunities and sustained productivity as key strategies to raise the quality of life in
rural areas and attain overall national development. In realizing this policy, the
National Irrigation Administration (NIA), a government-owned and controlled
corporation primarily responsible for irrigation development and management, was
created

It is the NIA’s vision that by 2022, the agency will be contributing to the
inclusive growth of the country and the improvement of the farmers’ quality of life.
However, presently, there are still 1,500,000 hectares of remaining irrigable land yet
to be irrigated. Particularly, in the Province of Dinagat Islands, towns and agricultural
lands are experiencing a water crisis due to undeveloped and untapped water
sources. As a socially and geographically challenged province, seeking irrigation
assistance outside the area is difficult, if not impossible, considering the plight
brought about by the current pandemic. This is disadvantageous for an agricultural
province like Dinagat Islands, especially since it seeks to be self-sufficient in terms of
rice and other crops by increasing its agricultural production and lessening its
importation.

Hence, the establishment of a provincial National Irrigation
Administration in the Municipality of Basilisa, Province of Dinagat Islands is hereby
sought in order to assist the province in planning, constructing, operating, and
maintaining irrigation systems consistent with integrated water resource
management principles, with the end view of improving agricultural productivity and
increasing farmers’ income.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is fervefttly called for.

ALAN 1 B. ECLEO
Representative, Lone District of Dinagat islands



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3088

House Bill No.

Introduced by Hon. ALAN 1 B. ECLEO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PROVINCIAL OFFICE OF NATIONAL IRRIGATION
ADMINISTRATION IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BASILISA, PROVINCE OF
DINAGAT ISLANDS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Establishment of Provincial Office of National Irrigation
Administration in the Dinagat Islands. - There shall be established and
maintained, under the direct supervision of the National Irrigation Administration
(NIA), a Provincial Office of NIA in the Municipality of Basilisa, Province of Dinagat
Islands, to be known as the NIA Dinagat Islands Provincial Office which shall
undertake integrated irrigation projects to effectuate an economic means of
achieving the optimal and diversified utilization and control of water.

SEC. 2. Appropriations. - The NIA Board of Directors shall include in the
department's program the operationalization of the NIA Dinagat Islands Provincial
Office, the initial funding of which shall be charged against the current year's
appropriations of National Irrigation Administration, and thereafter, the succeeding
funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within six (6) months
following the effectivity of this Act, the NIA Board of Directors shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 4. Separability Clause. Should any part or provision of this Act be held
unconstitutional or invalid, the provisions which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. Any other law, issuance, or part thereof
inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SEC. 6. Effectivity. This Act shail take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,