Lawmakers grilled officials of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) during a Senate hearing over the agency’s ₱233.85-billion budget proposal for 2027—a steep jump from its ₱64.37-billion allocation in 2026.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan emphasized the urgency of bolstering irrigation systems to mitigate the impact of an impending prolonged dry spell projected by state weather forecasters to stretch from late 2026 into mid-2027.
“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,” Pangilinan said during his opening remarks.
However, the senator raised doubts about the realistic chances of getting such a massive allocation approved.
“Bakit kayo humihingi ng napakalaking? Alam niyo na siguro na hindi aaprubahan,” Pangilinan added.
NIA Administrator Eduardo “Eddie” Guillen defended the request, maintaining that the figure accurately reflects what the agricultural sector needs to remain productive.
“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,” Guillen replied.
Senator Imee Marcos also pressed the agency on the dramatic request, pointing out that NIA still has nearly ₱17 billion in unspent continuing appropriations from its 2026 budget.
“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 ₱17 billion na continuing appropriations, hindi niyo nagastos,” Marcos noted.
Guillen explained that the 2027 proposal consolidated project requests submitted by Regional Development Councils (RDCs), which NIA had already vetted and reduced.
“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 [₱233 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 clarified.
Senators also questioned the agency’s Quick Response Fund, which seeks ₱1.7 billion for 2027 compared to ₱300 million in 2026.
Marcos asked what specific disaster risks justified the huge increase, to which Guillen responded that the extra funds would cushion the agricultural sector against severe drought conditions.
“Paparating po ang Super El Niño, eh palagay ko yung tig-₱100 million per region na lamang ay baka kulang po sa ₱1.7 billion,” Guillen said.
PAGASA continues to monitor El Niño indicators, warning of reduced rainfall and drought risks that could threaten water supplies and farm output through mid-2027.