Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. on Tuesday welcomed the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to temporarily transfer the National Irrigation Administration to the Office of the President from the Department of Agriculture, calling the transfer a “strategic move” in realizing the vision for a modern and more productive farm sector.

The DA chief said NIA’s transfer to the OP will address the urgent need for substantial funding to irrigate approximately 1.2 million hectares of land. The initiative is expected to significantly enhance food production, particularly rice, thereby bolstering the country’s food security and reducing dependence on imports.

“Under normal circumstances, NIA should be under the DA. However, given the urgent need to irrigate over a million hectares of land to boost agricultural productivity, especially for rice, President Marcos made a strategic—possibly a game-changing–move that would ensure that NIA receives the substantial funding necessary to fulfill this crucial mandate swiftly,” Secretary Tiu Laurel said.

The DA had proposed a budget of PHP 512 billion for 2025, which includes higher budget to bankroll more irrigation projects. However, the proposal approved by the Department of Budget and Management and submitted to Congress was for a reduced amount of P200.2 billion. By transferring NIA to the OP, the government aims to mobilize additional funds to accelerate irrigation projects and improve agricultural outcomes.

The strategic shift is intended to streamline the allocation of resources and expedite the implementation of irrigation initiatives. Secretary Laurel said that this move will help meet the pressing need for enhanced agricultural infrastructure, which is essential for achieving long-term food security and reducing import reliance. ###