Senators question NIA's P233.85B budget request for 2027

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is seeking a P233.85-billion budget for 2027, nearly four times its P64.37-billion allocation for this year, drawing questions from senators.

During NIA’s budget deliberation at the Senate, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan highlighted the need to improve the country’s irrigation systems, especially with the expected prolonged drought starting in the last quarter of 2026 due to El Niño.

“Ilang buwan nang nagsasabi ang mga scientists natin sa PAGASA na darating ang napakalakas na El Niño sa huling buwan ng 2026 hanggang sa unang anim na buwan ng 2027. Kaya hindi ngayon ang panahon para magtipid sa kanal, pumps, reservoir, communal irrigation, at pagkukumpuni ng mga irrigation systems,” he said in his opening remarks.

(Our PAGASA scientists have been saying for months that a very strong El Niño will arrive in the last months of 2026 and continue through the first six months of 2027. So now is not the time to skimp on canals, pumps, reservoirs, communal irrigation, and the repair of irrigation systems.)

Pangilinan, however, questioned the large amount being requested by NIA for 2027.

“Bakit kayo humihingi ng napakalaking [budget]? Alam niyo na siguro na hindi aaprubahan,” Pangilinan said.

(Why are you asking for such a huge [budget]? You probably already know that it won't be approved.)

NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie Guillen said the amount being requested reflects the needs of the agricultural sector.

“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.

(Because it is our job to show what our farmers truly need. You yourself said earlier that irrigation is important. In fact, you can plant even without soil, but you cannot plant without water.)

Senator Imee Marcos also questioned NIA’s requested budget, noting that nearly P17 billion from its current budget remains 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.

(I'm just wondering, I'm also perplexed by this huge increase requested, although of course we want to accommodate all of that because it's desperately needed with the impending ‘Godzilla’ El Niño. But considering that you haven't even spent your 2026 budget, there is almost P17 billion in continuing appropriations that you haven't spent.)

Guillen explained that the requested budget also reflects requests made by Regional Development Councils (RDCs). He added that NIA can manage with whatever amount is ultimately approved for the agency.

“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.

(One of the things we reflected there is the RDC request. So we filtered the RDC requests, trimmed them down, and came up with [P233 billion]. Our job is to show the needs and requests. Of course, we can manage—whatever budget is available, that's what we will implement. It's just that we need to show the real situation.)

The senators also questioned NIA’s requested P1.7-billion quick response fund, which is significantly higher than the P300 million allocated for the fund in 2026.

“Saksakan ng laki ito. Gusto namin malaman what disaster risks are you intending to cover? Ano bang plano diyan at napakalaki?” Marcos asked.

(This is extremely large. We want to know what disaster risks you intend to cover. What is the plan that requires such a large amount?)

Guillen said the amount would help NIA prepare for the expected Super El Niño.

“Paparating po ang Super El Niño, eh palagay ko yung tig-P100 million per region na lamang ay baka kulang po sa P1.7 billion,” he said.

(Super El Niño is coming, and I think even P100 million per region may not be enough compared with the P1.7 billion.)

State weather bureau PAGASA has warned that El Niño could strengthen in the latter part of 2026.

Its possible impacts include below-normal rainfall, prolonged dry conditions, and drought in parts of the Philippines, potentially affecting agriculture and water resources. —VBL, GMA News