JV Ejercito urges NIA: Build long-term water retention projects to boost irrigation, address Central Luzon flooding
September 18, 2026
Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Senator JV Ejercito on Thursday urged the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to prioritize long-term water retention and impounding projects to address recurring flooding in Bulacan and Pampanga while securing water supply for irrigation.
During the budget hearing, Ejercito called for a comprehensive master plan for Central Luzon, noting that excess water during the rainy season should be captured and stored for use during the dry season.
”Dapat paghandaan na rin natin hindi lamang kung paano magdadala ng tubig sa ating mga sakahan, kundi kung paano tayo mag-iipon at magre-retain ng tubig habang mayroon pa tayong sapat na supply,” Ejercito said.
“Kung gagastos din lang tayo sa irrigation, pero kung wala ring dadaloy na tubig, parang sayang, ‘no? So we really need to think about the water retention facilities, masimulan man lang,” Ejercito said.
Ejercito also pushed for closer coordination between the NIA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), particularly in implementing flood management projects that can also serve water retention, irrigation, and other purposes.
“Dapat yan, ‘yung tubig lahat may convergence from NIA, yung mga irrigation, mga retention, pati dun sa mga malalaking proyekto rin ng DPWH,” the lawmaker from San Juan said.
Ejercito questioned why major NIA projects have remained unimplemented despite being included in plans for years. He noted that the agency’s budget appeared to have been spread across smaller projects instead of being concentrated on major water infrastructure.
“Parang just like in any other department or agencies, instead na magconcentrate tayo dun sa mga big-ticket items na mga dapat gawin, eh patsi-patsi,” Ejercito said.
“So we must ask: Were the projects funded actually implemented? Ilang kilometro ng irrigation canals ang naitayo o naayos? Ilang ektarya ng sakahan ang nadiligan? Ilang magsasaka ang nakinabang? At higit sa lahat, nadagdagan ba ang kanilang ani at kita?” he added.
Ejercito also raised concern over the extensive use of concrete river walls and revetment projects, noting that some projects may not provide the same long-term benefits as water-retention facilities.
“Parang naging paborito nila, dati riprapping, tapos ngayon lahat ng ilog na pwedeng i-semento, kahit walang community, lahat naka-semento,” he said.
Ejercito said the proposed dams and retention facilities could address several problems at once—including flooding, irrigation, bulk and potable water supply, and hydropower.
He asked the NIA to submit its proposals for the major dams and water-retention facilities, including a multi-year funding plan, so the committee can determine which projects can be started under the annual budget.
“Yun ang kulang sa atin talaga, yung master plan eh, no? Laging kung ano lang ang pwede, may patsi-patsi na proyekto. Kailangan natin pang-matagalan,” Ejercito said.
Ejercito said the projects should be pursued despite the government’s limited fiscal space, given their potential to provide long-term flood protection and water security for Central Luzon.
“Kailangan nang gawin eh, kailangan 'to ginawa kahapon pa,” Ejercito said.
The proposed P233.85-billion budget of the NIA for 2027, which is 266% higher than its 2026 General Appropriations Act allocation, was approved at the committee level and will now proceed to plenary deliberations for further scrutiny.
