EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
S E N A T E
598
o( t(jf fercrfUvp
*19 JUL17 P6 ;10
RLCli
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto * 4
AN ACT
DESIGNATING THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE NATIONAL 
IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION
4 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3601, AS AMENDED
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is a government-owned and 
controlled 
corporation 
primarily 
responsible 
for 
irrigation 
development 
and 
management. It was created under Republic Act (RA) 3601 in 1963. Its charter was 
amended by Presidential Decree (PD) 552, s. 1974 and PD 1702, s. 1980. Both 
increased the capitalization and broadened the authority of the Agency. NIA aims to 
construct, operate and maintain irrigation systems consistent with integrated water 
resource management principles to improve agricultural productivity and increase 
farmers' income. NIA envisions that by 2020, it wholly transforms into a professional 
and efficient irrigation agency contributing to the inclusive growth of the country and 
in the improvement of the farmers’ quality of life.
NIA was placed under the Office of the President (OP) upon its creation. 
Subsequently, it was attached to the Department of Public Works, Transportation, 
and Communication by virtue of PD 1, s. 1972. 
Fifteen (15) years after, the 
Administrative Code of 1987 attached NIA to both the Department of Public Works 
and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Agriculture (DA). Despite the said 
Administrative Code, NIA remained attached to DPWH. It was transferred back to OP 
in 1992 pursuant to Executive Order (EO) No. 22. A month after, it was attached to


DA under Administrative Order No. 17 dated 14 October 1992. Again, in 2014, EO 
No. 165 transferred NIA together with the National Food Authority, Philippine 
Coconut Authority, and Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority to the Office of the 
President and consequently designating the Presidential Assistant for Food Security 
and Agricultural Modernization as chairman of the respective governing bodies of the 
abovementioned agencies. In a memorandum dated 3 November 2016 of the 
Executive Secretary, the Cabinet Secretary was designated as the Acting Chairman 
of the NIA Board of Directors.1
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pihol, who, back in 2016 wanted NIA along 
with the National Food Authority, Philippine Coconut Authority and Fertilizer and 
Pesticide Authority to be reintegrated back to the DA, said that there was "absolutely 
no sense In separating the NFA, NIA, FPA and PCA from the DA."2 What is worse is 
that the Secretary of Agriculture is not even part of the current NIA governing board.
Thus, this bill seeks to correct the current composition of the NIA governing 
board by mandating the Secretary of Agriculture to sit as its ex-c>;?7c/o Chairperson to 
ensure the coordination and harmonization of NIA's programs and policies to the 
agriculture industry's overall strategic development.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.
/m abm
RALPH
1 National Irrigation Administration. Legislations. Information retrieved on April 12, 2018 from 
http://www.nia.gov.ph/?q=content/legislations
2 Manila Times (Juiy 6, 2016). Good—NIA, NFA and PCA again under Agriculture Department Information 
retrieved from httD ://www.manilatimes.net/Q00d-nia-nfa-and-Dca-aqain-under-aqricuiture-department/272148/ 
on Aprii 5, 2018.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of tl;c sferci i idi j>
S. No.
S E N A T E
588
•19 JUL 17 P6 :10
re:::;
P
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 1 2 3 4
AN ACT
DESIGNATING THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE NATIONAL 
IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 
4 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3601, AS AMENDED
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled:
1 
Section 1. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 3601, as amended is hereby further
2 
amended to read as follows:
3 
"Sec. 4. Board of Directors. The powers and functions of the National
4 
Irrigation Administration shall be exercised by a Board of Directors
5 
composed of six members, to wit: The Secretary of [ Public Works,-
6 
Transportation and Communications] AGRICULTURE, who shall be
7 
the [Chairman] CHAIRPERSON, the Administrator of the National
8 
Irrigation 
Administration, 
who 
shall 
be 
the 
Vice-[Chairman]
9 
CHAIRPERSON, the Director General of the National Economic and
10 
Development Authority, the Secretary of [Agriculture] PUBLIC
11 
WORKS AND HIGHWAYS, the General Manager of the National
12 
Power Corporation, and one member who shall be appointed by the
13 
President of the Philippines on recommendation of any national rice
14 
and corn organization of good standing and who shall serve for a term
15 
of four years unless sooner removed.
16 
XX X."


1 
Sec. 2. Repealing clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
2 
which 
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
3 
modified accordingly.
4 
Sec. 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
5 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official
6 
Gazette.
Approved,