The National

Irrigation Administration

THE AGENCY
The National Irrigation Administration is a government-owned and
controlled corporation tasked with the development and operation
of Irrigation Systems all over the country. It was created under RA
3601 which was signed on June 22, 1963 by then President
Diosdado P. Macapagal.
Its forerunner was the Irrigation Division of the defunct Bureau of
Public Works. By virtue of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1 issued by
President Ferdinand Marcos, all irrigation activities were integrated
under the NIA. The Agencys power were likewise broadened and
capitalization increased from P300 M to 2 B by the issuance of PD
552 on September 11, 1072. Capitalization was further increased to
P10 B under PD 1702 on July 17, 1980.
MISSION
Development and management of water resources for irrigation and
provision of necessary services on a sustainable basis consistent
with the agricultural development program of the government.
VISION
For the Irrigator Sector
Nationwide existence of efficient irrigation systems>That are environmentally sound and socially acceptable.
>Located in strategic agricultural areas.

>Capably managed by viable and dynamic Irrigators Association.

>Profitably producing good quality rice and diversified crops.
>Progressively improving the welfare of the farm families, the rural
communities.
>Sustainably supporting the Food Production Program of the
government.
For the NIA
> Transformed into financially independent organization.
> With its employees enjoying compensation and benefits
comparable with other service-oriented government corporations.
> Attaining back its prominence as a leader in irrigation
management in the Asian region.
> Attaining excellence as a well managed government corporation.
OBJECTIVES
To develop and maintain irrigation systems in support of the
agricultural development program of the government.
To provide adequate level of irrigation service on a sustainable
basis in partnership with the farmers and the local government
units (LGU).
To provide technical assistance to institutions in the development
of water resources for irrigation.
To support economic and social growth in the rural areas thru
irrigation development and management.
To improve and sustain the operation of NIA as a viable
corporation and service-oriented agency.
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is a governmentowned and controlled corporation primarily responsible for
irrigation development and management. It was created
underRepublic Act (RA) 3601 on 22 June 1963. Its charter was
amended byPresidential Decree (PD) 552 on 11 September 1974

andPD 1702on 17 July 1980. Both increased the capitalization and

broadened the authority of the Agency.
NIA's forerunner was the Irrigation Division of the defunct Bureau
of Public Works. NIA was placed under the Office of the President
(OP) upon its creation. It was attached to the Department of Public
Works, Transportation, and Communication under PD No.1, dated
23 September 1972. The issuance also integrated all irrigation
activities under the Agency. The Administrative Code of 1987, dated
25 July 1987, attached NIA to both the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH), and Department of Agriculture (DA). But
NIA remained attached to DPWH. It was transferred to OP pursuant
to Executive Order No. 22, dated 14 September 1992. Then, it was
attached to DA under Administrative Order No. 17, dated 14 October
1992.
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS
The powers and functions of NIA under RA 3601, as amended by PD
552 and PD 1702, include the following:
To investigate, study, and develop all available water resources in
the country, primarily for irrigation purposes;
To plan, design, construct, and/or improve all types of irrigation
projects and appurtenant structures;
To operate, maintain, and administer all national irrigation systems
(NIS);
To supervise the operation, maintenance, and repair, or otherwise,
administer temporarily all communal and pump irrigation systems

constructed, improved, and/or repaired wholly or partially with

government funds;
To delegate the partial or full management of NIS to duly organized
cooperatives or associations;
To construct multiple-purpose water resources projects designed
primarily for irrigation, and secondarily for hydraulic power
development and/or other uses such as flood control, drainage, land
reclamation, domestic water supply, roads and highway
construction, and reforestation, among others, Provided, that the
plans, designs, and the construction thereof, shall be undertaken in
coordination with the agencies concerned;
To charge and collect from the beneficiaries of the water from all
irrigation systems constructed by or under its administration, such
fees or administration charges as may be necessary to:
cover the cost of operation, maintenance, and insurance;
recover the costs of construction within a reasonable period of time
to the extent consistent with government policy;
recover funds or portions thereof expended for the construction
and/or rehabilitation of communal irrigation systems (CIS) which
shall accrue to a special fund for irrigation development.
VISION, MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
VISION

A dynamic, viable and world-class government corporation,

rendering irrigation and related services contributing to the
inclusive growth of the country.
MISSION
Sustainable development and management of water resources for
irrigation consistent with the agricultural program of Department of
Agriculture in particular and the national government in general.
OBJECTIVES
To develop and maintain irrigation systems in support of the
agricultural program of the government;
To provide adequate level of irrigation service on a sustainable basis
in partnership with the farmers and local government units;
To provide technical assistance to institutions in the development of
water resources for irrigation;
To improve and sustain the operation of NIA as a viable corporation
and service-oriented agency.