NIA sees development of all irrigable land by 2022

THE National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has set a target to develop all irrigable land by 2022, given adequate funding and favorable weather.

In a Wednesday briefing in the agency’s headquarters in Quezon City, NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya said the agency is hoping to irrigate 100% of the irrigable land.

“By 2022, we hope to solve the equipment and personnel problems, and given an adequate budget. We hope we can do it by 2022, fully 100%. Another problem is natural calamities, which every year does damage to the irrigation system,” Mr. Visaya said.

“If there’s a 20% yearly increase in budget we can do it,” the official added.

The agency, throughout its 50-year existence, has so far developed 1.85 million hectares, or some 59% of the country’s total irrigable area of 3.12 million hectares.

This means the agency has to develop some 1.27 million hectares in five more years to achieve its target.

For this year, the agency is looking at irrigating 23,115 hectares and restoring some 13,507 hectares.

Asked if Mr. Visaya sees the target as attainable, he said: “It’s better to have a target… We will try. There’s no harm in trying.”

For this year, the agency has an approved budget totaling P38.37 billion.

The NIA is proposing a record budget of P45.86 billion for 2018, which, if approved, would represent an increase of 19% from 2017.

“As per our Corporate Planning office, the agency is still working for the breakdown of the said total amount. The proposed budget is also awaiting the Budget department’s Final Recommendation,” he added.