HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

RECEIVED

Republi Philippi
HOUR OF SePREREA TAT oate:_25 AUG 2016
Quezon City Five: 270M

ty
SEVENTEENTH CONG! oe
First Regular Session TR ATION UiNT

3338 | Burs and wor x SERVICE
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
Estrellita B. Suansing and Horacio P. Suansing, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This measure seeks to abolish the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)
and transfer its functions to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), was created by virtue of
Republic Act 3601, as amended, to expand irrigated farmlands in order to better
program the production of agricultural crops, increase the productivity of our
farmers and ensure a stable supply of farm commodities.

NIA has been attached under the Office of the President (OP)!, Department of
Public Works, Transportation, and Communication?, Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH)?, Department of Agriculture (DA)* and back to the OPS, since
its creation in 1963.

NIA has been around for more than five decades, being instrumental in
helping our farmers and the agriculture sector grow. However, there is still a lot
more needed to be done to reach the government's goal of attaining food security.

The DPWH, on another hand, is the State’s engineering and construction
arm, to carry out the planning, design, construction and maintenance of
infrastructure facilities, especially national highways, flood control and water
resource development systems, and other public works in accordance with the
national development objectives.

According to Section 42, The Administrative Code of the Philippines,
“Government-owned or controlled corporations shall be attached to the appropriate
department with which they have allied functions, as herein provided, or as may be
provided by executive order, for policy and program coordination and for general
supervision provided in pertinent provisions of this Code.” NIA deals with
infrastructure projects and works closely with the DPWH in undertaking these

’Republic Act No. 3601, 22 June 1963,

2PD No. 1, 23 September 1972

SThe Administrative Code of 1987, 25 July 1987
“Administrative Order No. 17. 14 October 1992
SExecutive Order No. 165, 05 May 2014


projects, more so than with any other agency, hence, will be more effective in
delivering their services.

There is an urgent need to simplify and fine tune the functions government
agencies and promote efficiency in the delivery of services. The abolition of the NIA
and the transfer of its functions to DPWH will eliminate redundant and duplicating
functions of government agencies especially in the Irrigation and Infrastructure
Sectors and ultimately accelerate economic growth and development.

In View of the foregoing, immediate approval of the bill is earnestly sought.

noracio Pkaxswne, JR.
2nd DistficGultan Kudarat

‘A B. SUANSI
1s District, Nueva Ecija


Nous wre

©

10
co
12

13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20

21
22

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

oe Buss

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
Estrellita B, Suansing and Horacio P. Suansing, Jr.

AN ACT
ABOLISIHING THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION (NIA),
TRANSFERRING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH), PROVIDING GRATUITY BENEFITS
FOR ITS OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SEC 1. Abolition of the National Irrigation Administration. - The National
Irrigation Administration is hereby abolished within one (1) year from the approval
of this Act.

SEC 2. Transfer of NIA to the Department of Public Works and Highways.
~ The supervision and control including the applicable funds and appropriations,
records, equipment and property of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) are
hereby transferred to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

All agreements and contracts entered into by the NIA shall remain in full force
and effect unless otherwise terminated, modified or amended by DPWH.

SEC. 3. Powers and Functions. ~ ‘The Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) shall exercise the full powers and functions of the National
Irrigation Administration under existing laws.

SEC. 4. Gratuity Pay of Officers and Employees. - ‘The officers and
employees of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) whose positions are
abolished or who may be separated from the service as a consequence of the abolition
authorized under this Act shall be granted gratuity pay equivalent to three (3)
months’ salary for every year of continuous satisfactory service with NIA on the basis
of highest salary received. Provided, that the officers and employees shall be eligible
for reappointment and shall be prioritized in the hiring in appropriate vacancies in
government based on their qualifications, training and civil service eligibilities.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Governance
Commission for Government Owned or Controlled Corporations (GCG) in close



BRUNE

eayau

10
soe

12
13

14

coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the
Department of Agriculture (DA) shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and
Regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days after
the approval of this Act.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the payment of gratuity
benefits to officers and employees of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) who
may be separated from the service as result of the abolition authorized under this
Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4.Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified

accordingly.

SEC. 5.Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,