Crime and Corruption Watch International (CCW International) and the National Confederation of Irrigators Association (NCIA) have joined forces to draw attention to the long-standing grievances of farmers in the country, who claim they have been continuously neglected by government officials, particularly within the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
In an exclusive interview with Tuklasin Natin, Carlo Margno M. Batalla, Chairman of CCW International, said that the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between CCW International and NCIA National Confederation President Silvestre B. Bonto marks an important step toward focusing on the agricultural sector—especially rice farmers who continue to suffer from alleged widespread corruption within the NIA.
According to Batalla, corruption in irrigation projects has further worsened the condition of farmers. As a result, CCW is calling for farmers to be given a voice within the agency by allowing NCIA to participate as the farmers’ representative in the NIA’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).
“It is time for farmers to have real watchdogs and representatives within the NIA, especially during project bidding where large sums of public funds are involved,” Batalla said.
Based on Memorandum Circular No. 78, s. 2020, the current composition of the NIA’s BAC consists solely of officials from within the agency—an arrangement which, according to CCWI, opens opportunities for corruption and a lack of transparency.
Batalla added that billions of pesos are allocated for irrigation canal and dam projects, yet many of these are allegedly not fully benefiting farmers. He said there are reports that funds end up in the pockets of corrupt officials instead of supporting rice production that sustains the Filipino people.
The former Camarines Sur Board Member also strongly claimed that large-scale irregularities are allegedly occurring in the bidding of NIA projects in the Bicol region. According to him, some bidders should not be awarded projects due to lack of qualifications or involvement in so-called “ghost projects.”
Because of these allegations, Batalla pointed to the accountability of current NIA Administrator Retired General Ricardo R. Visaya, whom he said should be held responsible for the alleged corruption within the agency.
NCIA President Silvestre “Silver” Bonto affirmed Batalla’s statements, revealing that in his 18 years of active leadership in NCIA and coordination with the NIA, their organization has never been allowed to take part in any bidding process as a watchdog or farmers’ representative.
The National Irrigation Administration was established under Republic Act No. 3601 on June 22, 1963, with the mandate to develop irrigation systems to support the country’s agricultural sector.
Despite the allegations, farmers reportedly see renewed hope through the support of CCW International and Batalla, who is now regarded as an ally of the NCIA in its call for transparency and reform. According to available data, an estimated 70 percent of the country’s rice supply comes from irrigators.
Carlo Batalla is also known as one of the individuals who filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman in September 2013 against alleged Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles and 28 other lawmakers.