Anticipating a prolonged El Niño and severe dry spells forecast by the state weather bureau, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Western Visayas is rolling out comprehensive measures to safeguard agricultural water supply and support farmers across the region.
During the recent Kapehan sa PIA Western Visayas forum, NIA Western Visayas officials outlined their proactive strategies, noting that the agency is intensifying efforts to mitigate the impact of the looming drought.
NIA Western Visayas Manager Engr. Jonel Borres acknowledged the scale of the challenge, noting that even major irrigation systems and rivers are already experiencing critical declines in water levels.
‘Our communal irrigation systems, and even our larger systems, have limitations when it comes to resources. Rivers are already drying up,’ Borres said.
He added, ‘That is why our preparations are crucial. We are planning thoroughly to ensure maximum efficiency, as available irrigation water continues to dwindle.’
To improve water distribution, the agency has deployed 30 units of heavy equipment to accelerate the repair and desilting of irrigation facilities.
Borres said NIA is maximizing the current dry-season cut-off period to ensure all systems are in optimal condition ahead of the next cropping cycle.
He also highlighted the accelerated rollout of solar-powered pump projects as a key intervention, particularly for farmers grappling with rising fuel costs.
‘We are fast-tracking solar pump construction because of the significant support they provide. With high fuel prices, a farmer using solar pumps can plant three to four times a year. As long as there is a water source, there are no fuel costs to operate the pump. This is one of our major preparations for El Niño,’ Borres explained.
In addition, NIA Western Visayas is working closely with other government agencies to encourage farmers to adopt drought-resistant crop varieties and shift to high-value crops to help sustain income despite the extreme heat.
Beyond infrastructure, the agency is promoting changes in farming practices through water conservation technologies.Engr. Rebecca Grana, acting division manager of NIA Western Visayas, noted the implementation of the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) technique across the region.
‘We are educating farmers that rice does not need to be continuously submerged in water,’ Grana said.
She explained that by using observation wells or tubes, farmers can determine when to stop irrigation and when to reapply water.
The method not only conserves water—allowing excess supply to be redirected to other drought-affected areas—but also supports healthier crop development.
‘Another advantage of AWD is improved rice tillering when water is properly managed and periodically drained. This is one of our key initiatives in response to El Niño,’ Grana added.
To ensure effective implementation, NIA’s Irrigators Development Officers are conducting continuous capacity-building efforts, guiding farmers on selecting suitable crop varieties and reinforcing adherence to irrigation schedules.
‘Strict compliance with water delivery schedules is essential to ensure equitable distribution, especially as supply may be significantly reduced,’ Grana said.