NIA seeks British investors for Magat, Pantabangan dam development
At A Glance
- To improve Magat, Pantabangan dams and other irrigation infrastructures, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) seeks possible partnerships from the British International Investment (BII).<br>Lawmakers were able to add P40 billion in NIA's proposed budget for food security efforts, while donor agencies like the World Bank, ADB, and JICA will also help push their water projects.<br>The nationwide irrigation currently stands at 68 percent and over 2 million hectares of land have been developed, while 1.1 million hectares are yet to seek development.
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is courting investments from the British International Investment (BII) for the development of the Magat and Pantabangan dams.
NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen said on Tuesday, Feb. 13, said the agency is inviting investment in various water infrastructure projects, including domestic water supply, hydropower, solar, tourism, and aquaculture.
The irrigation chief also noted that they are open to possible public-private partnerships (PPP) for the implementation of the Magat Dam in Isabela, and the Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija.
“Irrigation infrastructure is a foundational requirement [in food security],” Guillen said during the investment forum for water utilization and infrastructure development.
“Food security is number one in the social-economic agenda of the Marcos administration,” he added.
In his presentation, he said the new policy for NIA’s multipurpose use of water rights, which was signed as an agreement between them, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The memorandum, which was signed in October 2023, was made to utilize irrigation water beyond agriculture, which includes power generation, bulk water supply, aquaculture, recreation, and tourism.
“[We] will utilize surface water for multipurpose use, based on the initial 100 dams,” NIA chief said.
Guillen also stated that there would be a new design-build procurement policy so that the private partners could showcase their expertise and technology.
In terms of budget, NIA also emphasized that an additional budget for this fiscal year coming from the national government would boost and increase their existing projects.
Last September, the irrigation office said that lawmakers proposed an additional P40 billion budget to improve food security efforts.
Donor agencies like the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are also said to assist in pursuing their programs.
Currently, NIA aims to complete and push through its works in 135 diversion dams, 6 priority projects within reservoirs, and other canal projects.
Subsequently, the agency’s prioritized areas would also need solar power on top of NIA irrigation canals to achieve sustainability.
The most recent project that the irrigation admin has been working on is the reservoir impounding, located in nearby cities and/or municipalities.
NIA also told British investors that the nationwide irrigation development is at 68 percent, with over 2 million hectares of land that were developed.
Meanwhile, 1.1 million hectares of land are yet to be worked on to further reach their goal of food security.
The British International Investment (BII) did show interest in the country’s need for a private partnership, as they mentioned that the Philippines “is the most favored destination of ASEAN, and hopefully in the water side, too.”