Senators Question NIA's P233.85 Billion Budget Request for 2027

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is seeking a P233.85 billion budget for 2027, a nearly fourfold increase from its P64.37 billion allocation this year, drawing questions from senators during its 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. “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,” he said in his opening remarks. However, Pangilinan questioned the substantial amount being requested by NIA for 2027. “Why are you asking for such a huge [budget]? You probably already know that it won't be approved,” Pangilinan said. NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie Guillen said the amount being requested reflects the needs of the agricultural sector. “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,” he explained. Senator Imee Marcos also questioned NIA’s requested budget, noting that nearly P17 billion from its current budget remains unutilized. “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,” she said. 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. “One of the things we reflected there is the RDC request. So we filtered the RDC requests, trimmed them down, and came up with the [P233 billion]. So 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,” Guillen said. 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. “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?” Marcos asked. Guillen said the amount would help NIA prepare for the expected Super El Niño. “Super El Niño is coming, and I think even P100 million per region may not be enough compared with the P1.7 billion,” he said. 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