FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
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Senate Bill No. 5.11 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJE~CITO 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 efforts 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.O. No. 552, which amended RA 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 economy. 
In view of the foregoing considerations, immediate passage of this bill is 
earnestly sought. 
Senator 


S""' .... TL 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
). OffiCE {)f iM': SECFlE'iAIW 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
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SENATE 
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Senate Bill No._'U=:.=.. 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. 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 
PURPOSE 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3601, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
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 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 
PRIVATE SECTOR, WHO SHALL BE A FILIPINO CITIZEN, 
AT LEAST THIRTY FIVE YEARS OF AGE, OF PROVEN 
HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND RECOGNIZED COMPETENCE, 
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. 
THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE SHALL BE THE EX-OFFICIO 
CHAIRMAN AND THE VICE-CHARI MAN 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 Undersecretary 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 (P1,OOO.00) for 
special meetings, but the total amount per diems that a member may receive in a 
month shall in no case be above [one thousand five hundred pesos] TEN 
THOUSAND PESOS (P10,OOO.00). 
The Board shall fix the amount of 
representation and transportation.allowance that the members may receive. 
SEC. 2. Appropriation. Such sum as may be necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 3. 
Repealing 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. 
SEC. 4. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following 
the publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,