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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Second Regular Session )

SENATE RECEIVE 4

s.no. 1783

18 APRI8 P5 58

Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto

AN ACT
DESIGNATING THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AS
CHAIRPERSON OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION
ADMINISTRATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 4 OF REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 3601, AS AMENDED

Explanatory Note

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is a government-owned and controlled
corporation primarily responsible for irrigation development and management. It was created
under Republic Act (RA) 3601 in 1963. Its charter was amended by Presidential Decree (PD)
552, s. 1974 and PD 1702, s. 1980. Both increased the capitalization and broadened the authority
of the Agency. NIA aims to construct, operate and maintain irrigation systems consistent with
integrated water resource management principles to improve agricultural productivity and
increase farmers’ income. NIA envisions that by 2020, it wholly transforms into a professional
and efficient irrigation agency contributing to the inclusive growth of the country and in the
improvement of the farmers’ quality of life.

NIA was placed under the Office of the President (OP) upon its creation. Subsequently, it
was attached to the Department of Public Works, Transportation, and Communication by virtue
of PD I, s. 1972. Fifteen (15) years after, the Administrative Code of 1987 attached NIA to both
the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Agriculture (DA).
Despite the said Administrative Code, NIA remained attached to DPWH. It was transferred back
to OP in 1992 pursuant to Executive Order (EO) No. 22. A month after, it was attached to DA
under Administrative Order No. 17 dated 14 October 1992. Again, in 2014, EO No. 165
transferred NIA together with the National Food Authority, Philippine Coconut Authority, and
Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority to the Office of the President and consequently designating the
Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modemization as chairman of the
respective governing bodies of the abovementioned agencies. In a memorandum dated 3
November 2016 of the Executive Secretary, the Cabinet Secretary was designated as the Acting
Chairman of the NIA Board of Directors."

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pifiol, who, back in 2016 wanted NIA. along with the
National Food Authority, Philippine Coconut Authority and Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority to
be reintegrated back to the DA, said that there was “absolutely no sense in separating the NFA,

' National Irrigation Administration. Legislations. Information retrieved on April 12, 2018 from
hutp://www.nia.gov.ph/?q~contenvlegislations



NIA, FPA and PCA from the DA."? What is worse is that the Secretary of Agriculture is not
even part of the current NIA governing board.

Thus, this bill seeks to correct the current composition of the NIA governing board by
mandating the Secretary of Agriculture to sit as its ex-officio Chairperson to ensure the
coordination and harmonization of NIA’s programs and policies to the agriculture industry's

overall strategic development.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

HG,

/mabm

* Manila Times (July 6, 2016). Good—NIA, NFA and PCA again under Agriculture Department. Information

retrieved from_ hitp:/www.manilatimes.ne/g00d-nia-nfa-and-pca-again-under-agriculture-d.
April 5, 2018,

ytment/272148/ on



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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session ) "18 APRIB P5 58

SENATE o
RECEDED. —
s.No. 1783

Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto

AN ACT
DESIGNATING THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AS
CHAIRPERSON OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION
ADMINISTRATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 4 OF REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 3601, AS AMENDED

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 is hereby further
amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 4. Board of Directors. The powers and functions of the National Irrigation
Administration shall be exercised by a Board of Directors composed of six
members, to wit: The Secretary of [Public Works, Transportation and
Communications] AGRICULTURE, who shall be the [Chairman]
CHAIRPERSON, the Administrator of the National Irrigation Administration,
who shall be the Vice-[Chairman] CHAIRPERSON, the Director General of the
National Economic and Development Authority, the Secretary of [Agriculture]
PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS, the General Manager of the National
Power Corporation, and one member who shall be appointed by the President of
the Philippines on recommendation of any national rice and corn organization of
good standing and who shall serve for a term of four years unless sooner
removed.

XXX

SEC. 2. Repealing Clause All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette

Approved,