The government is providing P42 billion to the country’s irrigation infrastructure to boost the agriculture sector and ensure food security, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.
During a post-SONA briefing, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman stated that the allocation to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) aligns with the government’s medium-term plan and economic agenda.
“As [President Marcos] mentioned in his SONA, we are improving our irrigation system nationwide. We have allocated P42 billion for our irrigation system nationwide next year,” the DBM chief said.
The 2025 budget for NIA is also higher than the P41 billion allotted to the agency this year.
The irrigation budget is part of the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP), which will serve as Congress’ basis for the General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
Pangandaman said that as soon as the NEP is submitted by July 29, government agencies can already bid out their projects and by Jan. 1 of next year, they can already prepare a notice of award and implement their projects.
In his third SONA on Monday, Marcos reiterated the government’s commitment to building and rehabilitating more dams to boost agriculture production and ensure food security.
According to Marcos, part of these efforts is the recently completed Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project Stage II (MMIP-II) in the municipality of Pikit, Cotabato, which is set to provide water to 10,000 hectares in both Maguindanao and North Cotabato.
He also noted the newly launched Cabaruan Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project in Quirino, Isabela, the largest of its kind in the Philippines.
In addition, he mentioned the he Jalaur River Multipurpose Project in Iloilo that could irrigate 32,000 hectares of land.
“Moving forward, irrigation dams will supplement all our other bulk water projects to ensure water security for our people, especially in the underserved areas,” the President said.