NIA back to OP
PRESIDENT Marcos has placed anew the National Irrigation Administration (NlA) under the Office of the President (OP), drawing cheers from the agriculture sector.
Set up in 1963 as a revenue-generating corporation, NIA plays a leading role in government efforts to achieve food security.
The late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, father of President BBM, wanted to develop and operate irrigation systems across the country.
With the establishment of NIA, then President Marcos later launched the highly-successful “Masagana 99” rice production program.
This enabled the Philippines to join the world’s elite combo of rice-exporting nations.
In 2022, Executive Order No. 168, transferred NIA to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
But aware of the need to better improve food security and infrastructure development, BBM reverted supervison of NIA to OP.
Marcos explained: “Irrigation management and development is vital toward achieving food security and ensuring infrastructure developmecountry.”
At the same time, Mr. Marcos reorganized the NIA board of directors to include representatives of OP, the private sector, the NIA administrator, and heads of the DPWH, DA and NEDA.
It is only just and right to place anew NIA under the Office of the President and reorganize its board of directors.
