The Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) yesterday signed agreements that would optimize the country’s use of renewable energy and irrigation water to make it more accessible to the public.
DOE Undersecretary Sharon Garin and director Marissa Cerezo signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with NIA chief Eduardo Guillen in a ceremony in Malacanang that was presided by Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Dominic Guevara.
The agreement formalized the two agencies’ partnership to enhance the countrywide approach in developing the renewable energy resources in line with the nation’s goals to generate 35 percent of power from renewable energy sources by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.
It is also a crucial step forward in the pursuit of water security and sustainable resource management in the country and in accordance with goals outlined and provisions stated in Executive Order No. 22, series of 2023.
The EO, which creates the Water Resource Management Office, states that one of the objectives of the government is the harnessing of water supply in order to capitalize on its maximum benefits to society and environment.
Under the MOA, DOE will use NIA irrigation facilities as well as those being constructed, including areas identified and listed for future irrigation development projects, “for public consumption” without compromising the operations of NIA.
As part of the strategic initiative, NIA’s irrigation water will not only help the agency to expand economically and generate additional fund for the operation and maintenance of its irrigation facilities while allowing the DOE to provide the public with better access to clean, reasonably priced energy sources.
Garin said with the NIA’s water supply across the country, the DOE can use it to generate alternate sources of power such as solar energy which is not only cheaper but also cleaner and safer.
“This is a big potential for solar energy, so it would be a big help for the attaining the objectives of the President, as well as the DOE…We’re happy that NIA is so proactive in this because this is a whole government attaining the objectives of the President for energy security and food security,” she said.
Guillen also signed with Cavite Governor Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla a MOA that aims to maximize the use of irrigation water and repurposes it to benefit the province.
Guillen said about 70 percent of the water resources in the country is under NIA.
Under the MOA, Cavite will work in tandem with the NIA to ensure the responsible and sustainable use of water resources, as aligned with existing laws on water management and utilization, which place strong emphasis on conservation and protection to meet the evolving needs of the province.
This means NIA’s excess irrigation water will now be served and prioritized for the province’s use.
The reallocation of water resources is expected to contribute not only to the overall well-being of the province, but also to the economic growth and increased revenue for the NIA.
