September 11, 2009

DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 25-09

 

WHEREAS, water is a key natural resource in agriculture and plays an economic and environmental role in food production;

WHEREAS, agriculture is the biggest water user accounting for about 80% of the total freshwater withdrawal, more than 50% of which is used for irrigated rice production;

WHEREAS, current practice in rice cultivation has been proven to be wasteful with irrigation utilization ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 liters of water to produce one kg of palay;

WHEREAS, freshwater is becoming scarce to sufficiently support the requirements for expansion of agricultural areas to increase food production to satisfy the demand of increasing population;

WHEREAS, it is crucial to develop, manage and protect water, use it in a more efficient, equitable and sustainable manner;

WHEREAS, recent research results on WST showed that 15 to 35% of irrigation water allocations can be saved without significant yield reduction;

WHEREAS, WST is one of the identified mitigation and adaptation measures to address the impact of climate change;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Rice Self Sufficiency Plan (RSSP) specifies the need for judicious use of water resources in support to the attainment by year 2013 of 100% sufficiency level of the staple food of the Filipinos;

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to carry out agriculture and fisheries development compatible with the preservation of ecosystems through the judicious use of the country's resources under the framework of sustainable development; TIcEDC

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARTHUR C. YAP, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, in view of the need for policies and guidelines on mainstreaming the adoption of WST in all irrigation systems in the country, do hereby issue this Order.

PART I

General Provision

SECTION 1. Definition of Terms. —

Cascading training approach — the method by which the pool of specialist train prospective trainers at regional level who in turn will train provincial trainers and who will finally train the farmers.

Communal Irrigation System (CIS) — small irrigation systems constructed by NIA and other government agencies with the participation of farmers through the Irrigators Associations (IA).The IA undertakes operation and maintenance (O&M) and collects ISF from farmers to support O&M costs and amortization of construction cost in case of NIA assisted systems.

Cropping Intensity (CI) — the sum of area planted during the wet, dry and third crop divided by the total service area of the system multiplied by 100 to express in percent.

Field or Farm level irrigation — refers to irrigation water distribution from the turnouts to individual farms.

Irrigators Association (IA) — organization of farmers in a Communal Irrigation System (CIS) or in an irrigation unit, such as sub-lateral or lateral, in a National Irrigation System (NIS) duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

National Irrigation System (NIS) — irrigation systems constructed and jointly operated and maintained by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and Irrigators Associations (IA).Farmers benefited pay irrigation service fees (ISF) for the irrigation services provided by NIA.

Irrigated rice production area — farms with irrigation supply which includes those with temporary irrigation facilities e.g., brush dams that were constructed by farmers. TSacAE

System level irrigation — refers to water movement at the canal system levels — main canal, lateral, and sub-lateral extending to sub-sub lateral in big systems.

Turnout Service Area (TSA) — a cluster of farms of about 30 to 50 hectares served by a common turnout which is the smallest hydrological unit in an irrigation system.

Water Productivity (WP) — the weight of palay produced (in kilogram) divided by the volume of water used (cubic meter)

Water Saving Technologies (WST) — technologies developed to reduce water used in rice production without yield reduction which can be achieved by modifying the farming operations, water management and other cultural management practices.

SECTION 2. Framework. —

This Order is formulated within a framework that considers environmental protection and conservation, sustainability, and increased land and water productivity, through equitable distribution of, and access to irrigation water.

This Order provides for the mainstreaming and institutionalization of WST in the functions and responsibilities of all relevant government agencies and instrumentalities.

Likewise, this Order provides mechanism for monitoring the level of adoption of WST among farmers, changes in water regime in irrigation systems, and potential social, economic, environmental and technical impacts.

SECTION 3. Policy Statement. —

Pursuant to Section 28 of RA 8435 or the Agricultural Fisheries and Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997, which identifies efficiency in water use as one of the criterion in the selection of irrigation development schemes. Relative to this, the identified irrigation system must be complemented with WST to optimize water use and to efficiently manage available water. The concerned government agencies, i.e., NIA, BSWM, DA-RFUs, PhilRice and ATI shall mainstream the implementation of appropriate WST into their regular programs. These agencies shall provide technical support and assistance to cooperating Irrigators Associations (IA) to effectively implement this program and when practicable and feasible, negotiate a formal agreement for the adoption of water saving technologies. EICSTa

Consistent with Section 25 of RA 7160 or the Local Government Code, these NGAs shall consult the LGUs on the program on WST, and likewise work towards collaborative activities for implementation.

SECTION 4. Coverage. —

This Order covers the technical considerations for WST, the dissemination and field implementation strategies, institutional arrangements, and other provisions for proper and sustained implementation. This Order focuses on the water demand side management and does not cover watershed management and other water supply augmentation strategies.

PART II

Technical Considerations of WST

SECTION 5. Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and other Sound Field Water Management Practices. —

The Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) water saving technology

The practice of AWD is based on experiments on the moisture threshold that rice crop can withstand. On-farm experiments on AWD revealed that the water level can be allowed to drop below the ground surface by as much as 15 cm during the dry season and 20 cm during the wet season. It is though necessary to apply irrigation water immediately after this condition is reached in order to avoid significant reduction in crop yield.

The technology is implemented after the rice crop is fully established, usually 20 to 30 days after direct wet seeding or transplanting. At this stage, the leaves are fully developed, crop canopy is already formed and weeds are already controlled. The technology promotes efficient water utilization, and generates 15 to 35% water savings from water allocations compared to the continuously flooding technique. This savings can pave the way to possibly increasing the area that can be irrigated in a cropping season within an irrigation system. It can also provide the basis for the preparation of an effective schedule of irrigation water delivery, ensuring equitable water distribution among farms regardless of location within the service area of an irrigation system. Establishment of simple observation wells in strategic locations within the irrigation serviceable area for monitoring and observing the perched groundwater is a required component of the technology. DIEAHc

The AWD technique is the most adaptable not only in individual farms but also at farm clusters because it utilizes simple tool and schemes facilitated through the existing strong linkages between the stakeholders, the field staff of the NIA and other concerned agencies, and the IA.

Other Sound Field Water Management Practices

On farm researches and studies had been conducted for the last twenty years regarding on-farm water utilization with objective of using lesser water to produce rice in order to increase water productivity and where possible, save water. For the same period, the cropping intensity of the country was at a low level of 136% for NIS and lesser for CIS.

Aside from AWD, other sound field management practices that promotes water saving include a) modification of farming operations and techniques such as dry plowing instead of puddling and shortening the land preparation period, b) direct dry or wet seeding instead of transplanting, c) thorough leveling, d) use of internal farm ditches, e) shallow tillage immediately after harvest, and f) use of early maturing and drought tolerant varieties.

SECTION 5. *  IA Capability Development. —

To ensure the proper adoption of WST, organization strengthening and capability development of IA's should be carried out. The farmers within the IA coverage should be equipped with the required knowledge, skills, and values in order to properly implement the technology and recognize its merits.

a). IA Organization

The farmers in an irrigation system should be organized into functional and viable associations. Functional IA's should be sustained and non-functional IA's should be strengthened. All farmers within the IA coverage will be persuaded to become members in order to ensure full participation and cooperation.

b). IA Technical Capability

The IA leaders and farmers shall be trained to develop their knowledge, skills and proper attitude on WST and irrigation operations. IA to IA exchange visits will also be undertaken in order to facilitate technology dissemination and adoption. Field days will be conducted during the harvest season and IA members who adopted the technology will act as resource persons. SIEHcA 

SECTION 6. Irrigation Structures and Facilities. —

For the effective implementation of WST, the repair, rehabilitation, and upgrading of irrigation and drainage structures and facilities shall be carried out with full participation of the IA's. However, the condition of the irrigation and drainage structures and facilities should not necessarily be a constraint to the implementation of WST.

These activities shall include but not limited to the following:

1. Repair and/or installation of measuring and control devices at main diversion structures and farm turnouts/division boxes for flow measurement and regulation;

2. Repair, rehabilitation of canals and canal structures to facilitate water delivery and distribution;

3. Regular maintenance through removal of debris and silt deposits, and cutting of grasses along irrigation and drainage canals;

4. Construction, repair and maintenance of farm ditches within TSA to facilitate water distribution and discourage paddy to paddy irrigation application; and

5. Construction and repair of paddy bunds or dikes for water conservation and efficiency.

PART III

Dissemination and Implementation Strategies

SECTION 7. Institutional Arrangement. —

In order to ensure the effective mainstreaming of WST, the following institutional arrangements shall be enforced:

National level

The overall responsibility to implement this Order shall be handled by the WST Steering Committee which shall have the following composition:

Chair:	DA-Undersecretary for Operations
Co-Chair:	NIA Administrator
Members:
	DA National Rice Program Director
	DA-FOS Director
	BSWM Director
	ATI Director and
	PhilRice Executive Director

To support the Steering Committee, a National Technical Working Group (NTWG) shall be created composed of subject matter specialists or equivalent from PhilRice, BSWM, NIA and ATI. The NTWG shall oversee the implementation of this AO and shall provide technical assistance and support for the activities at the regional, provincial and system levels. DcSACE

Chair:	NIA Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations
Co-Chair:	PhilRice
Members:
	DA National Rice Program (2)
	DA-FOS (1)
	NIA (2)
	BSWM (2)
	ATI (2)
	PhilRice (1)

Depending on the needs, the NTWG may invite representatives from other agencies/institution (government, non government, local and international agencies, academe) for assistance. Secretariat shall be provided by NIA and/or PhilRice.

Regional Level

An equivalent TWG shall be created at the regional level who will be chaired by the Regional Irrigation/Operations Manager and Co-Chaired by the DA RFU Executive Director and members from DA-RFU, NIA-IMO, ATI and representative from IA Federations (FIA) at the regional levels. They shall be responsible for the implementation of this AO at the regional level, provide technical guidance and assistance to the IMO/DO, monitor accomplishment and submit reports to the NTWG. Depending on the needs, the RTWG may consult other agencies/institution (government, non government, local and international agencies, academe) for assistance.

Irrigation Management Office/Division Office Level

Likewise, the Irrigation Management Office (IMO)/Division Office (DO) shall be responsible for the implementation of this AO at the provincial and division levels, provide technical guidance and assistance to IA, monitor accomplishment and submit reports to the RTWG. Depending on the needs, the provincial TWG may consult other agencies/institution (government, non government, local and international agencies, academe) for assistance.

The System Management Committee (SMC) established in each National Irrigation System (NIS) which is chaired by the NIA with IA and FIAs representatives as members shall serve as the platform in the implementation of this AO. Similar forum shall be established in the CIS. Representatives from relevant agencies/institutions including the LGUs concerned shall be invited to participate in these forums as the need arises.

SECTION 8. Mainstreaming Schemes. —

The existing and future NIA-IA irrigation management contracts shall be reviewed and subject to agreement will be amended to include the specific provisions on WST implementation and adoption at the field level. In case of non-NIA assisted systems, similar arrangements will be carried out. acCTIS

All IA's shall formulate O&M policies, rules and regulations and shall seek assistance from the LGU through the passage of appropriate local ordinance to support the implementation of such.

A cascading training approach to technology dissemination shall be adopted to mainstream and institutionalize WST. The strategies required are as follows:

a) Preparation, reproduction and distribution of information, education and communication (IEC) materials on WST to be harmonized with the National Rice Program.

b) Review by NIA, BSWM, ATI and PhilRice of their respective programs and activities to include WST as major component and alignment of the activities to the Rice Self Sufficiency Plan (RSSP) for 2009-2013.

c) Conduct Training of Trainers (TOT) with participants from DA-RFUs, BSWM, NIA and ATI at the regional/integrated systems levels, and Irrigation Management Office (IMO)/Division Office (DO),who will be responsible in the dissemination of WST at the system down to the IA levels. Trainings at the regional level may be harmonized with the Rice Specialist Training (RST) Program.

d) Establishment of participatory technology demonstration farms (TDFs) at the IA level to be harmonized with existing TDFs either under the DA National Rice Program or LGU/SUC initiatives.

e) Conduct of review and planning workshops or fora before each cropping season.

SECTION 9. Field Implementation. —

In harmony with the Rice Self Sufficiency Plan (RSSP) for 2009-2013 covering irrigated areas in all provinces, this AO shall adhere to the adoption of WST and other crop management practices to improve rice production and irrigation water distribution and utilization. The active involvement of the IA's is consistent with the farmer clustering strategy that the DA has initiated to facilitate downloading and access of the RSSP support.

The NTWG shall come up with a plan and timetable to cover all the provinces. All the irrigation systems master-listed by NIA and other concerned agencies shall be considered and all activities shall be closely coordinated with the irrigation managers in these areas. SacTAC

PART IV

Monitoring and Reporting

Existing NIA O&M reporting forms shall be reviewed to incorporate information on WST dissemination and adoption. Reports will be submitted to the WST Steering Committee through the NTWG. All policy matters shall also be referred to the Committee. The NTWG shall develop a feedback mechanism to monitor implementation at the farmers' level.

Monitoring of WST dissemination and adoption shall be the responsibility of NTWG, RTWG, IMO/DO at their own respective levels.

Process documentation shall be carried out by harmonizing and modifying existing procedures when necessary, that are being undertaken by NIA.

PART V

Impact Evaluation

Evaluation of the social, cultural, economic, environmental and technical impacts of WST shall be undertaken. The NTWG shall be responsible for the preparation of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for establishing benchmark information and for carrying out the impact evaluation. Expertise of SUCs and/or other institutions should be tapped for carrying out the benchmarking and impact evaluation.

PART VI

Budget and Program Financing

Within the next five years (2009-2013) budget requirement of the program shall be drawn from the component on irrigation support services specifically those that relate to providing training to IA members on water management techniques, and other components that will facilitate bringing the technologies at the farm level, breakdown of which is reflected in Annex 3 (Budgetary Requirement).The fund for benchmarking and impact evaluation shall be determined by the NTWG and to be composed for the DA in accordance with TOR mentioned in Part IV.

For the succeeding years of operation, starting from 6th year onward, the NIA shall include in its annual GAA proposal a budget item to support the implementation and monitoring of the program. Likewise, the relevant DA agencies (BSWM, PhilRice and ATI) shall likewise include an allocation in their respective annual GAA budget proposals to finance the logistics needed for their effective participation in the promotion of WST.

PART VII

Administrative Provisions

SECTION 10. Awards and Recognition. —

In harmony to the existing employees' performance evaluation, for example the NIA and other concerned agencies, the accomplishments on AWD implementation of the concerned officials, staff and field personnel shall be a major criterion to be considered for judging outstanding IA's and field personnel. TcIAHS

SECTION 11. Incentive Mechanisms. —

The program when properly implemented could increase irrigated/planted area and production per unit area. Those who would increase the base area for the collection of ISF and improved production could enhance farmers' capacity to pay ISF. Hence, higher ISF collection is expected resulting to higher share for IA's with existing O&M contracting guidelines. Moreover, increase in ISF collection in the NIS, also results to viability incentive grants to NIA O&M staff.

PART VIII

Miscellaneous Provisions

SECTION 12. Research and Development. —

As indicated in the Rice Self Sufficiency Plan (RSSP) for 2009-2013, with PhilRice as the lead agency, DA-RFUs, BSWM, and SUCs, in close coordination with NIA, shall continue research & development activities to download the appropriate technologies at the farm level and address issues that may arise in the implementation of the WST. This is to ensure that negative effects on the environment and farming community are prevented and mitigated. To carry out R&D activities that are associated with the adoption and implementation of WST at a bigger spatial scale and ultimately in a system wide level, funding will be drawn under the Research and Development component of the Philippine Rice Self Sufficiency Plan, specifically on the Improvement of a System Wide Water Management. This is to determine if gains achieved at the farm level are translated at the system level.

SECTION 13. Separability Clause. —

The provisions of this Order are hereby declared separable. In the event that one or more of its provisions are held to be invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 14. Effectivity. —

This Order shall take effect fifteen days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation its filing with the UP Law Center and Registration with the Office of the National Administrative Register.

(SGD.) ATTY. ARTHUR C. YAPSecretaryDepartment of Agriculture

ANNEX 1

Summary of IA's Organized, Registered and Contracted and Corresponding Area Covered

Source: National Irrigation Administration, as of December 2007

 

ANNEX 2

Schedule of Activities

ANNEX 3

Budgetary Requirement