NIA-assisted rice deliveries to Quezon City underway
NIA Central Office — Rice farmers under the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Irrigators’ Associations (IA) system have begun preparations for rice deliveries to Quezon City, NIA Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen announced during the Senate hearing on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Speaking before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, chaired by Sen. Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan, Engr. Guillen said the initiative is part of NIA’s efforts to directly link farmers to local markets. This will help ensure fair farmgate prices while providing more affordable rice for consumers.
Sen. Pangilinan also cited NIA’s partnership with the Quezon City Government to supply approximately ₱500 million worth of milled rice to two districts. Farmers are currently consolidating their harvests to meet the required volume and fulfill the target demand.
The initiative is being implemented as a pilot LGU–NIA partnership model, initially covering selected areas in Luzon, particularly Regions I, II, and III. The procurement scheme is undertaken through negotiated bidding under the Sagip Saka Act, enabling LGUs to directly source agricultural products from organized farmer groups.
Under this scheme, NIA adopts a “big brother–small brother” approach, wherein organized Irrigation Service Cooperatives/Agricultural Cooperatives (ISCs/ACs) take the lead in entering into supply agreements with LGUs. Nearby IAs then support these cooperatives by consolidating and supplying additional volume to meet demand requirements.
Administrator Guillen emphasized that this model strengthens coordination among irrigators while enabling smaller associations to participate in larger, more stable market arrangements. If implemented on a nationwide scale, the program has significant potential, with 11,178 IAs covering about 1.6 million hectares and benefiting around 1.2 million farmers. At present, 469 organized cooperatives are already being assisted and supported by NIA, serving as key institutional partners for market linkage initiatives.
The move comes in the context of NIA’s formal compliance with Senate Resolution No. 346, which calls for an inquiry into the impact of rising oil prices on agricultural and fisheries production, and the readiness of government agencies to provide timely support to farmers and fisherfolk.
NIA underscored that while it is not the primary agency for fuel subsidy or petroleum regulation, rising fuel costs significantly affect irrigation operations, particularly in pump-dependent systems, field maintenance, and logistics. The agency emphasized that fuel and energy cost volatility is now a critical irrigation-sector risk that directly impacts productivity and service delivery.
To address this, NIA continues to expand its Solar-Powered Irrigation Projects (SPIPs), which help farmers significantly reduce diesel expenses, particularly in off-grid and pump-dependent areas. The Agency is also prioritizing the rehabilitation and expansion of gravity-fed irrigation systems, as well as the adoption of smart water management technologies to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.
NIA also reiterated its support for cropping optimization strategies, including double dry cropping, to help increase production and distribute input costs more efficiently across multiple harvest cycles.
The move comes amid growing concerns over food security, driven by rising fertilizer prices and volatility in global oil markets.
“We are using real-time data and weather and dam levels. we optimize irrigation schedules ensuring that water is delivered when needed and avoiding unnecessary energy use. Yan po ang basis namin para mapalitan ang traditional na wet and dry season into double-dry cropping season. Hindi lang natin sinasalo ang epekto ng mataas na presyo ng langis, binabago natin ang sistema para hindi na tayo umasa dito.” Administrator Engr. Eddie Guillen told lawmakers on Wednesday.
The agency emphasized that improving irrigation efficiency, modernizing infrastructure, and strengthening farmer-market linkages are key to sustaining agricultural productivity under these conditions.
NIA reaffirms its commitment to support the Senate’s legislative inquiry and to continue working with national government agencies, local government units, and irrigators’ associations to build a more resilient and cost-efficient agricultural sector.
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