SENATOR Imee R. Marcos has criticized the slow pace of irrigation development in the Philippines, calling the target of achieving full irrigation by 2053 “unacceptable.”
During a Public Hearing of the Committee on Finance, Senator Marcos expressed her concern over the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) proposed P42.57 billion 2025 budget, highlighting the urgent need for accelerated progress.
“We cannot wait for 2053 or 30 years for full irrigation to provide rice sufficiency,” she stated, emphasizing the critical role of irrigation in ensuring food security amidst climate change. Senator Marcos pointed out that a significant portion of the country’s irrigable land remains untapped, jeopardizing rice production.
Despite allocated funds, NIA’s slow spending has hampered the implementation of vital irrigation projects. Senator Marcos urged the agency to explore alternative funding avenues, including foreign funding, climate change financing, and to expedite procurement processes to accelerate progress.
The senator further proposed Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Official Development Assistance (ODA) as additional strategies to boost irrigation efforts, expressing her hope that these measures will propel the country towards achieving rice sufficiency well before 2053.
