REPRESS

Republic of the Philippines es ZS

HOUSE OF REPRSENTATIVES “CEIVED “@\

Quezon City, Metro Manila | 27 JAN 20148)
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS ie se f
First Regular, Sessjon \< j
~ H.B. No. ‘7a ‘

Introduced by Hon. Agapito H. Guanlao

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The National Irrigation Administration plays a major role in the agricultural
development of the country. Its mandate of irrigating farm lands boost the
productive capacities of agricultural lands and contribute for the country’s
attainment of food security.

The National Irrigation Administration was created by virtue of REPUBLIC ACT 3601. It
was amended by by RA 1702, and was further amended by Presidential Decree 552.
However, there are some provisions of the law that need to be updated and revised.

Only one member of the Board represents the private sector.

This legislative measure is being filed in order to provide more seats for the private
sector, particularly the basic agricultural sector. This ensure that the basic
agricultural sectors, mostly small farmers utmost participation in policy formulation
and decision making. After all, these sectors are the major users of this
infrastructure. Further, the addition of three (3) Board Members representing the
basic agricultural sectors is empowering and an exercise in democracy, thuds the
passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

AGAPT0'H. GUANLAO.


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.3'7.4'7

Introduced by Hon. Agapito H. Guanlao

AN ACT
PROVIDING ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NATIONAL.
IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION, AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE Ill,
REPUBLIC ACT 3601 ALSO KNOWN AS “AN ACT GRANTING THE NATIONAL
IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION”

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

SECTION 1. Section 4 of Article III is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 4. Board of Directors. The powers and functions of the NIA shall be
exercised by a Board of Directors composed of [seven] TEN (10) Members, to
wit: [The Secretary of Public Works and Communications, who shall be the
Chairman, the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Chairman of
the Board of Directors of the National Power Corporation, the Director _ of
Plant Industry, the Director of Agricultural Extension] SECRETARY OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DA) AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, THE
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NIA AS VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, THE
SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAY (DPWH),
THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION (NPC), THE
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY (NEDA), AND A BOARD SECRETARY SITTING AS EX-OFFICIO
MEMBER, ALL OF WHOM SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES; THREE (3) REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE
PRIVATE SECTOR COMPOSED OF ONE (1) REPRESENTATIVE EACH FROM THE
FARMERS SECTOR, THE NATIONAL IRRIGATORS AND THE AGRARIAN REFORM
BENEFICIARIES [and two other members who shall be appointed by the
President of the Philippines, one on recommendation of any national rice and
corn organization of good standing and the second, on the recommendation of
The minority party through its duly authorized officers, and with the consent of
the Commission on Appointments], WHO SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF SIX
YEARS. [with the exception of the two first appointees, one of whom shall
serve only for two years, and the other for four years. Any person appointed
to fill a vacancy in the Board shall serve only for the unexpired term of the
appointive member whom he succeeds.]

SECTION 2. Mode of Selection and Appointment of the additional Members of the
NIA Board. - The members of the NIA Board, shall draft the implementing rules and
regulations that shall govern the selection and appointment process for the additional
three (3) private sector members of the Board.

SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or any part thereof
be declared invalid, the other provisions, so far as they are separable, shall remain in
force and effect.


SECTION 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after the
publication in the Official Gazette and in any two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

APPROVED,