L 
I 
TEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
S.B. NO. " 
9 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), which was created under R.A. 3601 , 
is tasked with the development policy, operation and maintenance of the irrigation 
systems all over the country. Likewise, it is mandated to provide corollary services in 
line with the agricultural development program of the national government such as 
construction of more infrastructures, and employment of modern technology and other 
support services. 
The creation of NIA in the government's effort to attain self-sufficiency in 
agricultural crops, which has become one of our nation's major economic goals. 
The country's concern for the development of irrigation system expressed in the 
enactment of R.A. 3601 up to this date, particularly because of the risks brought about 
by the depletion of water resources due to prevalent environmental degradation such as 
indiscriminate deforestation, quarrying with restricted zones and uncontrolled siltation, 
as well as such factors as rapid urbanization and burgeoning population. 
Its Board of Directors exercises the powers and functions of NIA. Under P.D. No. 
552, which amended R.A. 3601, the Board is composed of six members and Farmers 
are only represented by the rice and corn organization in the Board of Directors. This 
proposed measure then provides the inclusion of a representative from the private 
sector particularly the consumers and entrepreneurs who are also associates and 
partners in the formulation of economic policies. The inclusion of the sector in the board 
shall provide for a more integrated and coordinated food security policies. 
Their participation will enable the agency to be more responsive to the concerns 
and agenda of all sectors of society which together constitute the working elements of 
the agricultural sectors of the national economv. 


In view of the foregoing considerations, immediate passage of this bill is 
earnestly sought. 
ERCITO ESTRADA 


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TEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
) 
i 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
,
I
 
SENATE 
S.B. NO. 
7 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO' ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE INCLUSION OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PRIVATE 
SECTOR IN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION 
ADMINISTRATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPQSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3601, AS 
AMENDED, AND FOR THE OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in the 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 4 of Act 3601 , as amended hereby further amended to read 
as follows: 
SECTION 4. Board of Directors. - The powers and functions of the 
National Irrigation Administration shall be exercised by the Board of Directors 
composed of [six] SEVEN members, to wit: The Secretary of the Public Works 
and Highways, [Transportation and Communications who shall be the Chairman,] 
the Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority, the 
Secretary of Agriculture, the [General Manager] President of the National Power 
Corporation, and (one) TWO members who shall be appointed by the President 
of the Philippines, ONE upon the recommendation of any national rice and corn 
organization of good standing; AND SECOND, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE 
FIVE YEARS OF AGE, OF PROVEN HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND 
RECOGNIZED COMPETENCEl and who shall serve for a term of four years 
unless sooner removed FOR CAUSE OR UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS SHALL 
HAVE BEEN QUALIFIED AND APPOINTED. 
PRIVATE SECTOR, WHO SHALL BE A FILIPINO CITIZEN, AT LEAST THIRTY- 
THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE SHALL BE THE EX- OFFICIO 
CHAIRMAN AND THE VICE- CHAIRMAN SHALL BE THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE 
NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION. 
In case of failure of a member to attend the meetings of the Board due to 
physical incapacity or any temporary disability, the Under Secretary or the Assistant 
Head of the Office or agency to which the member concerned belongs, shall attend the 
meetings of the board, with the power to vote. 
For actual attendance at regular meetings, each member of the Board or his 
representative as authorized in the preceding paragraph, shall receive a per diem of 
[three hundred pesos] TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P2, 500.00), AND 
[one hundred pesos) ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P 1,000.00) for special meetings, but 
the total amount per diems that a member may received in a month shall in no case be 


above [one thousand five hundred pesos] TEN THOUSAND PESOS (PIO, 000.00). The 
Board shall fix the amount of representation and transportation allowance that the 
members may receive. 
SECTION 2. Appropriafion. - Such sum as may be necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriation Act. 
SECTION 3. Repeating Clause. - All existing laws, executive orders, 
presidential decrees, rules and regulations, or any parts thereof inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved.