The National Irrigation Administration and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources agreed to strengthen the water rights of NIA and further promote water security in the Philippines, Malacañang said on Thursday.

In a statement released by the Palace, Environment Undersecretary Carlos Primo David underscored that the government will ensure water security through various government agencies.

"(This) is a convergence between several government agencies with water-related functions … we are able to plan and coordinate our efforts together and I'm referring to the DENR, which I represent, the National Water Resources Board, and everyone here in Malacañang," David said.

This means that NIA's irrigation water will not only be used for the agricultural sector but will also be utilized for power production, bulk water supply, aquaculture, recreation, tourism, and other purposes.

DENR has been given the directive to protect the country's water resources to meet its needs, as mandated by the law.

In connection with this, the Office of the Executive Secretary has encouraged the NIA, the National Water Resources Board, and the Water Resources Management Office to be more responsive to the country's needs in the use and development of water resources.

The DENR, through the National Water Resources Board and the Water Resources Management Office, will have the responsibility of safeguarding and preserving water resources to meet the evolving requirements as outlined in the existing laws governing water management and utilization.

In a similar vein, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevarra encouraged the NIA, NWRB, and the WRMO to be more adaptable to the changing needs of the nation in how they use and develop water resources, aligning their actions with the fundamental principles of the water code and the President's objective of achieving water security.

This memorandum of agreement aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s Executive Order No. 22, which established the WRMO under the DENR, tasked with coordinating and harmonizing all government initiatives and regulatory activities to ensure the sustainable management and availability of water resources throughout the entire country.

Also in attendance at the event were Assistant Secretary Jason Alba from the Office of the Senior Deputy Executive Secretary, Department of Finance Undersecretary Catherine Fong, and NIA Acting Civil Works Design Section Chief Engr. Roald Marck Revellame.