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As the National Irrigation Administration instructed the farmers serviced by the Angat-Maasim River Irrigation System (AMRIS) to adapt the adjusted cropping calendar, the dropping of the water level of Angat Dam which allocates water for irrigation to Bulacan and Pampanga farmlands poses no threat to the farmers.

This is mentioned by Engr. C’zar M. Sulaik, NIA Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector in a TV Program interview conducted by Net 25 – Mata ng Agila on February 28, 2022.

On the day of the interview, the water level of Angat Dam is at 196.29 masl, almost 16 meters lower than its normal water level of 212 masl. At the start of the month of February, the water level of the dam has been below normal, thus reducing its water allocation for irrigation.

However, DA Sulaik said that this does not greatly affect the farmers in Bulacan and Pampanga benefitting from Angat Dam because their farmlands are already in its terminal drainage wherein water requirement is less. In the months of March and April, only 5 m³/s is necessary to complete the remaining irrigation requirement for AMRIS.

DA Sulaik shared that NIA has already conducted coordination meeting with Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) on the conduct of cloud seeding over the reservoir which is scheduled on March 8, 2022.

NIA Central Office – In an article published on the official website of politics.com.ph on February 22, 2022, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and Senator Panfilo M. Lacson shared their plans on how to address the irrigation problems of the country through a wider state-funded program that would install solar-powered irrigation systems (SPISs) on paddy fields and plantations. The plan is very much aligned with the innovation and modernization thrusts of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), especially on the utilization of irrigation facilities, dams, and reservoirs for renewable energy development.

As the lead government agency mandated to develop all possible sources of water for irrigation, NIA is also embarking on the benefits of developing more floating solar and hydroelectric power projects on its existing irrigation systems and future irrigation projects nationwide for income generation.

Due to Irrigation Service Fee (ISF) exemption of farmers with landholding of eight (8) hectares and below under the Free Irrigation Service Act (Republic Act No. 10969), NIA ventures on the development of hydroelectric power, solar, and floating solar power projects to further strengthen its viability as a Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC). It will address both irrigation and renewable energy development concerns of the Filipino communities.