Transferring the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) back under the Office of the President (OP) will streamline the approval process of big-ticket projects that would benefit farmers, irrigators, and the public, its administrator said on Thursday, Sept. 12.

NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen (Screengrab from Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon via PTV)

During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen stressed the importance of putting the NIA back under the auspices of the OP.

“Tama po yun kasi diretso na tayo sa Office ng Presidente. Kasi noon marami kang dadaanang mga proseso, eh ngayon po mas mapapabilis (That’s right because now we’re under the Office of the President. Before we have to go through a lot of processes, but it will now become faster),” he said when asked if projects on food security, water management, and flood control will be completed faster.

“I can assure you na talagang sa mga susunod na taon lalo na ngayong nasa OP na kami, mararamdaman ng ating mga farmers, ng ating mga irrigators’ association po ang mas mabilis at mabisang programa ng ating gobyerno (that in the coming years now that we’re under the OP, our farmers and irrigators’ associations will feel the faster and more effective programs of our government),” the official added.

Previously, Guillen explained that big-ticket projects have to undergo clearing houses and permit regulations that usually take time.

“Ngayon ay didiretso na po ito. So, makakatipid na po tayo ng ilang—usually mga two to three months po yan ang matitipid (Now, this is going to be faster. So, we’re going to take less time—usually around two to three months),” the NIA official said.

Even coordination with other government agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for water management and flood control projects will now be easier under the OP, he added.

Marcos moved back the NIA under the OP through Executive Order No. 69 and ordered its reorganization.

The NIA Board will now be composed of a representative from the OP, NIA administrator, secretaries of the DPWH, the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and a representative from the private sector who will be appointed by the President.

Marcos underscored the importance of streamlining the functional relationships of agencies to promote coordination and efficiency.