PH senators question NIA’s proposed P233.85 billion budget for 2027

Senators on Thursday questioned the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) proposed P233.85-billion budget for 2027, which is nearly four times its P64.37-billion allocation this year.

The agency defended the proposed increase during its budget deliberation before the Senate, saying the amount was based on the projected needs of the agricultural sector and preparations for a potentially severe El Niño.

NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie Guillen said the agency’s responsibility was to identify the actual irrigation requirements of farmers and present these to lawmakers for funding.

“Trabaho po kasi natin na ipakita kung anong totoong kailangan ng ating magsasaka. Kayo po nagsabi kanina na mahalaga ang irigasyon. In fact, pwede kang magtanim kahit walang lupa pero hindi ka puwedeng magtanim nang walang tubig,” he said.

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan acknowledged the need to strengthen the country’s irrigation infrastructure, particularly with a prolonged dry spell expected in the latter part of 2026 due to El Niño.

He nevertheless questioned the size of NIA’s proposed budget, given the agency’s current spending performance.

Senator Imee Marcos likewise raised concerns over the sharp increase, pointing out that nearly P17 billion in continuing appropriations from NIA’s 2026 budget remained unutilized.

“Nagtataka lang ako, I'm also perplexed by this huge increase requested, although siyempre gusto natin i-accommodate lahat 'yan dahil kailangan na kailangan with the impending ‘Godzilla’ El Niño. Pero considering na hindi niyo naman nagastos yung 2026 budget. Mayroong halos P17 billion na continuing appropriations, hindi niyo nagastos,” she said.

Guillen said the 2027 proposal included requests from Regional Development Councils (RDCs), which NIA had already screened before arriving at the amount submitted to Congress.

“Isang ni-reflect natin diyan ay yung sa RDC request. So sinala natin yung RDC request, tinanggalan na natin at we came up with the [P233 billion]. So ang trabaho natin ipakita natin yung pangangailangan at request. Of course, kaya naman po natin kung ano po yung merong budget ay yun po yung i-implement natin. It's just that kailangan namin ipakita yung totoong sitwasyon,” Guillen said.

He added that NIA would implement its programs based on whatever budget Congress ultimately approves.

The proposed increase also includes a P1.7-billion quick response fund (QRF), up significantly from the P300 million allocated to the agency for the same purpose in 2026.

Guillen said the higher QRF would allow NIA to respond to the anticipated effects of a possible Super El Niño.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned of a possible strengthening of El Niño toward the latter part of 2026, with below-normal rainfall, prolonged dry conditions and drought potentially affecting agricultural production and water resources.

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