Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City – Binigyang-diin ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. sa kanyang ika-apat na State of the Nation Address (SONA) noong Hulyo 28, 2025 ang kahalagahan ng malalaking proyektong pang-irigasyon at paggamit ng renewable energy upang mas mapalakas pa ang sektor ng agrikultura sa bansa.

Mula Hulyo 2022 hanggang Marso 2025, nakapagtala ang National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Agriculture (DA), at Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) ng 63,359 ektarya ng new irrigated areas at 44,160 ektarya ng restored areas. Sa kabuuan, 88,646 ektarya ng lupang pansakahan ang napatutubigan sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang administrasyon, na may 1.27 milyong magsasakang benepisyaryo.

Kabilang sa mga pangunahing proyektong napagtagumpayan ng NIA ay ang P5.133-bilyong Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project – Stage II (MMIP-II) sa Bayan ng Pikit, Cotabato. Ito ay may service area na 9,528 ektarya at 4,000 magsasakang benepisyaryo mula sa mga lalawigan ng Cotabato at Maguindanao del Sur.

NIA Central Office – To strengthen the security of irrigation projects and personnel, especially in areas with peace and order concerns, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippine National Police (PNP) on July 7, 2025 during the PNP’s Flag-Raising Ceremony at BGen. Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City. 

NIA Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen, who served as Guest of Honor and Speaker, led the signing with PNP Chief PGen. Nicolas D. Torre III, joined by NIA Deputy Administrator Robert Victor G. Seares Jr. Also in attendance were the Administrative Department and concurrent Acting Legal Services Department Manager Atty. Ailyne C. Agtuca-Selda, Public Affairs and Information Staff (PAIS) Acting Department Manager Clarizze C. Toribio, and other key personnel.

Through this partnership, the PNP will assist in safeguarding NIA’s irrigation facilities, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), under the Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay (RPSB) program. As part of the event, PNP Chief Torre also demonstrated the real-time responsiveness of the 9-1-1 emergency system and the rapid deployment capabilities of police personnel through the PNP Command Center. This showcased how modern technology enhances their operational speed, community protection efforts, and nationwide reach, even in remote areas.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the 506th NIA Water Battalion AFP Reserve Unit support the Civil Relations Service – Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRSAFP) in promoting public awareness efforts and campaigns related to the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Together, let us strengthen our unity in defending the rights of the Filipino people to the country’s marine resources.

#bayaNIAn sa #BagongPilipinas 

NIA Central Office – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and NIA Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen led the Ceremonial Turnover of NIA-Procured Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Equipment and Vehicles (3^rd Tranche Re-Fleeting Program) on June 2, 2025, at the Icon JCB C6 Yard in Taguig City.

With a total cost of P799.568 million, the 3^rd Tranche involves the procurement of 229 units of various types of O&M equipment and vehicles. This initiative is part of the Agency’s ongoing efforts to modernize and upgrade its fleet to enhance operational efficiency, support field activities, and ensure the timely implementation of irrigation projects nationwide. It is aligned with President Marcos' directives to fast-track irrigation project development.

NIA Region III – Following the reported incident involving the sudden deflation of Rubber Gate No. 3 of the Angat Afterbay Regulator Dam (Bustos Dam) in Bustos, Bulacan, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region III immediately conducted a site visit and inspection on May 1, 2025 to assess the damage and current condition of the structure. This was followed by an inspection of technical experts from NIA Central Office on May 2, 2025.

The Bustos Dam rubber gate is situated on the dike with a base elevation of 15 meters. The Rubber Gate No. 3 opening measured only 76.90 meters wide, compared to the Angat River’s width of 250-300 meters, thus minimizing the overall impact of the incident. This means a maximum of 373 cms of water is expected to flow into the Angat River, which is within the safe limits to accommodate the discharge, and poses no threat to the residents in nearby towns.

Pinangunahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. ang awarding ceremony para sa One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSAC-SI) o ang "Gawad Bayanihan sa Pamumuhunan: Making It Happen with a Whole-of-Nation Strategy" noong ika-13 ng Marso 2025 sa Malacañang Palace Ceremonial Hall.

Pinarangalan ng Board of Investments (BOI) ang National Irrigation Administration (NIA) at si Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen dahil sa kanilang natatanging kontribusyon sa matagumpay na implementasyon ng Executive Order No. 18, na nagtatakda ng “green lanes for strategic investment” kaugnay ng Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 (RA 11032).

NIA Central Office – NIA Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen participated in the Regional Development Council (RDC) VI Meeting, which was presided over by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on February 13, 2025 during his visit in Iloilo City.

The meeting underscored the importance of advancing critical infrastructure projects and addressing the region’s development needs. It focused on key projects, including the P19.698-billion Jalaur River Multipurpose Project – Stage II (JRMP-II).

Located in Calinog, Iloilo, JRMP-II is the first large-scale reservoir outside Luzon.  As of December 2024, the project recorded an overall physical accomplishment of 76.94 percent. It includes the construction of three dams: a 109-meter-high dam, a 38-meter afterbay dam across the Jalaur River, and a catch dam in Alibunan River, which are all substantially completed.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) reaffirms its commitment to transparency and accountability following the 2023 Commission on Audit (COA) Report on delayed irrigation projects.

#bayaNIAn sa #BagongPilipinas

NIA Central Office – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has projected that approximately P220 billion is needed per year to irrigate 1.2 million hectares of farmland to achieve rice sufficiency in the Philippines.

During the hearing of the Joint Committee on Murang Pagkain at the House of the Representatives on December 19, 2024, NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen emphasized this crucial investment in irrigation sector. As the country faces increasing dependence on rice imports, he highlighted the urgent need for improved irrigation systems to boost palay productivity.

NIA Central Office – To avoid palay losses during typhoon months, and "squeeze in" two rice crops during the dry season, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) will promote adjusting the traditional rice planting calendar.

In recent years, the country has lost an average of 500,000 to 600,000 metric tons (MT) of palay (unmilled rice) annually due to typhoons and floods that mostly occur in September to October when the wet season crop is ready for harvest, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).