SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. and
Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

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House Bill No._ 2453

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The proposed measure seeks to amend the Charter of the National Irrigation
Administration as provided under Republic Act No. 3601, as amended, in order to
institutionalize the representation of farmers in the governing board of the said
agency. Under the present law, the NIA Board is composed of six members, which
include one private sector representative.

Under R.A. No. 3601, small farmers are not assured of representation in the
said Board since the law does not expressly or specifically provide for such
representation. Considering that irrigation services have a vital and direct impact on
agricultural production, their efficient management and delivery is the foremost
concern of small farmers. Thus, the said sector should be given adequate
representation in the NIA Board.

Moreover, irrigation services should not be limited to rice and corn lands but
should include other crops. To stress this policy, we must not limit private sector
representation in the NIA Board to the rice and corn sector

Article XII, Section 16 of the Constitution mandates that, "the right of the
people and their organizations to effective and reasonable participation at all levels
of social, political and economic decision-making shall not be abridged.” The bill
seeks to implement this policy by providing for one small farmers’ representative for
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao

The bill also aims to complement and reiterate the policy of equitable
distribution of benefits and opportunities in agricultural development and
‘empowerment of small farmers, as enunciated in Republic Act No. 7607 (The Magna
Carta of Small Farmers). Under the said law, the farmers’ representative chosen by


their national organizations shall sit in the governing boards of government agencies,
which include the NIA. Although the said provision allows small farmers to participate
in the NIA Board, experience has shown that such participation is most effective and
empowering if the farmers’ representatives are adequate in number,

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is strongly recommended.

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‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. and
Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No_ 2453

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THREE SMALL FARMERS’ REPRESENTATIVES IN THE
NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION (NIA) BOARD BY AMENDING
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3601, AS AMENDED BY PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 552
AND FURTHER AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER 292, DATED JULY 25, 1987
ENTITLED, “AN ACT CREATING 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 Republic Act No. 3601 as amended by Presidential
Decree No. 552 and further amended by Executive Order No. 292, dated July 25,
1987 is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 4. Board of Directors - The powers and functions of the National
Irrigation Administration (NIA) shall be exercised by the Board of Directors
composed of [six (6)] EIGHT (8) members, to wit

The Secretary of Agriculture, who shall be the Vice-Chairman; the
Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority,
the Secretary of Public Works and Highways, the General Manager of
the National Power Corporation, and [one (1) member] THREE (3)
MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE SMALL FARMERS OF LUZON,
VISAYAS AND MINDANAO, RESPECTIVELY, who shall be appointed
by the President of the Philippines upon due notice to and on
recommendation of any national {rice and corn] SMALL FARMERS


organization of good standing and who shall serve for a term of four (4)
years unless sooner remove.”

SEC. 2. Repeal. — All laws, rules and issuances inconsistent with the
Provisions of this Act are-hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly

SEC. 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following

the date of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or, in at least two (2)

newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,