By Tracy Cabrera
MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration is seeking more than ₱30 billion in irrigation funding for 2027 as the government prepares for the possible impact of a severe El Niño on agriculture.
The proposed allocation includes ₱30.44 billion for the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) Irrigation Services Program under the National Expenditure Program for fiscal year 2027, according to Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Clarissa “Claire” Castro-Seechung.
Castro-Seechung said the proposed budget would finance the development of irrigation facilities covering 11,153 hectares of new service areas nationwide.
The administration is prioritizing irrigation expansion as part of its food security program, particularly with forecasts pointing to potentially dry conditions that could disrupt agricultural production toward the end of the year and into the first half of 2027.
“Investments in irrigation form part of the administration’s food security agenda, particularly as the country faces potential disruptions to agricultural production due to El Niño,” Castro-Seechung said.
She added that the program is also intended to raise farm productivity while helping protect the livelihood and income of farmers.
The proposed funding would be used to develop and reinforce irrigation infrastructure, which the government considers essential to maintaining agricultural output amid increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.
Castro-Seechung said the proposed investment reflects President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s support for the agriculture sector and the government’s efforts to address the effects of climate change.
Apart from conventional irrigation projects, the government is also exploring alternative technologies, including solar-powered irrigation systems, to provide farmers with more reliable access to water.
The proposed ₱30.44-billion allocation remains subject to the budget process and approval by Congress.
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