NIA discusses irrigation project priorities with People’s Budget Coalition

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) outlined its criteria for selecting and prioritizing irrigation projects during a dialogue with the People’s Budget Coalition (PBC), emphasizing the need to align public spending with farmers’ needs and ensure accountability in project implementation.

NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo “Eddie” G. Guillen met with the group, led by co-convenor Ken Abante, to discuss how the agency evaluates proposed projects based on farmers’ needs, water availability, implementation readiness and potential long-term benefits to local communities.

Guillen said NIA follows its “Right Project, Right Price, and Right Quality” policy in planning, selecting, costing and implementing irrigation projects. The policy seeks to ensure that projects address actual agricultural needs, are cost-efficient and meet established quality standards.

He also presented the NIA Command Center, a technology-based facility that enables the agency to monitor projects, coordinate operations and track irrigation service delivery nationwide.

The dialogue provided civil society representatives an opportunity to raise questions and offer recommendations on NIA’s project selection process and the use of public funds.

NIA said it remains committed to transparency and accountability in public spending, ensuring that irrigation investments deliver reliable water supply and help sustain farmers’ livelihoods.

In an interview with DAILY TRIBUNE, Guillen said Filipinos deserve a transparent budget free from corruption, adding that NIA would work with civil society organizations and other stakeholders to uphold this principle.