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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No.

7476

Introduced by Hon. ALAN 1 B. ECLEO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 552, itis the policy of the Sate to ensure a
comprehensive development, utilization and conservation of 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 in the improvement of the farmers’ quality of life. However,
presently, there is still a remaining 1,500,000 hectares of irrigable lands that are yet to
be irrigated nationwide. Particularly, in the Province of Dinagat Islands, towns and
agricultural lands are experiencing 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 that it seeks to be a 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 fervently called for.

Al :CLEO
Representative, Wg District of Dinagat Islands


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. uaz

Introduced by Hon. ALAN 1 B. ECLEO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PROVINCIAL OFFICE OF THE 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 the 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
administration'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 the 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 are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

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

Approved,