The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources—Water Resource Management Office (DENR-WRMO) and the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on the repurposing of NIA’s water rights.
NIA said the agreement signed on Wednesday aims to achieve the optimum utilization of irrigation water not just for agricultural use but also for power generation, bulk water supply, aquaculture, recreation and tourism, among others to generate bigger revenues for the agency.
The MOA also secures uncompromised and unhampered provision of irrigation requirements to NIA’s existing agricultural lands and other irrigable areas programmed for development.
Carlos Primo David, DENR-WRMO undersecretary, said the agreement also aims to solidify government efforts in ensuring water security in the country through various government agencies with water-related functions.
Under the agreement, the DENR, through both the NWRB and the DENR-WRMO, will be tasked to conserve and protect water resources to meet the changing needs under existing laws on water management and utilization.
