EO brings back NIA under Agri department’s control

PRESIDENT Duterte has issued an executive order returning the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) from the Office of the President to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The Palace released on Monday Executive Order 168 dated April 25, which cited the need to integrate relevant agencies in the agricultural sector in the fulfillment of their complementary governmental mandates.

In 2014, EO 165 was issued transferring the NIA from the DA to OP to enhance and coordinate the efforts of government agencies in the agricultural sector.

“Due to the effects of climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic, which significantly affected food security in the Philippines, there is a need to optimize the country’s water resources to adapt to these challenges, and pave way for the modernization and industrialization of the agricultural sector,” the President said in the EO.

Republic Act 3601 created the NIA as a corporate body with the purpose of expanding irrigated farmlands to support crop production, increase the productivity of farmers, and ensure a stable supply of farm commodities.

In transferring the NIA, the President cited Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution, which provides that the President shall have control of all executive departments, bureaus and offices.

The President also ordered the Governance Commission for GOCCS (government-owned and -controlled corporations to study the reorganization of the NIA Board of Directors and submit to the Office of the President its recommendation.

He also designated the DA secretary as acting chairman of the NIA Board.