Free irrigation uncertain as funding hangs

MANILA, Philippines - The government’s commitment of free irrigation next year remains uncertain as no direct policy has been made yet, the Office of the Cabinet Secretary said.

The additional P4 billion-budget for 2017, which is supposed to cover the irrigation service fees (ISF) to allow the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to stop depending on collections for the salaries of its officials and employees and for its operations, was not approved.

“While there is no clear policy yet on that which also requires amendment of the NIA mandate, we remain on status quo,” Office of the Cabinet Assistance System undersecretary Maia Chiara Valdez said.

“Decisions like that should emanate from economic managers. Right now, no fund has been downloaded from the DBM (Department of Budget and Management),” Valdez said.

Under the law, NIA is required to collect ISF which totals to about P2 billion annually used for employees’ salaries and allowances, as well as funding for operations and maintenance of existing irrigation systems in the country.

“If we will not collect, what would NIA use to at least maintain and operate the different irrigation systems at least by 2017?” Valdez said.

NIA, on the other hand, stressed that it is not against free irrigation and has always been supportive of President Duterte’s plan.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol earlier said NIA is likely to be reverted back to the Department of Agriculture (DA) within the year, as Duterte and Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. have agreed to return the agency under the umbrella of the DA.

Recently, the NIA and 11 other agencies were moved to the Office of the President under Evasco via EO1.