Introduced by ~ E ~ A T  
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 on 
the said Board since the law does not expressly or specifically provide for such 
representative. Considering that irrigation services have a vital and direct impact 
on agricultural pfoduction, their efficient management and delivery is the 
foremost concern of small farmers. 
Thus, the said sector should be given 
adequate participation in the policy-making of the NIA Board to the rice and corn 
sector. 
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 righ of the 
people and their organizations to effective and reasonable participatio at all 
levels of social, political and economic decision-making shall not be ab idged.” 
The bill seeks to implement this policy by providing for one small f rmers’ 
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. 
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In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is strongly recommended. 


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First Regular Session 
Introduced by  AT 
A 
Be it enacted by the Senafe and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled. 
N I. 
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, 1937 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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"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)] ~ I G H T  
(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 Hi 
General Manager of the National Power Corporation, 
member] THREE (3) ME 
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OF 
LUZ 
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THE 
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who shall be appointed by the President of the 
Philippines upon due notice to and on recommendation of any 
national [rice and corn] 
organization of good 
standing and who shall serve for a term of four (4) years unless 
sooner remove." 


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epeaE: - All laws, rules and issuances inconsistent with the 
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. 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
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Approved, 
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