Guidelines for the Adoption of

Water-Saving Technologies (WST)

in Irrigated Rice Production
Systems in the Philippines

Department of Agriculture
Administrative Order #____
Series of 2009

Engr. Samuel M. Contreras

Co-chairman – National TWG
OUTLINE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

GENERAL PREAMBLE
Part I GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1 Definition of Terms
Section 2 Framework
Section 3 Policy Statement
Section 4 Coverage

Part II TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF WATER SAVING

(WST)
Section 5 Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and other
Sound Field Water Management Practices
Section 6 Irrigator’s Association (IA) Capability
Enhancement
 OUTLINE OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS
CONTINUATION OF PART II
Section 7 Irrigation Structures and Facilities

Part III DISSEMINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

STRATEGIES
Section 8 Institutional Arrangements
Section 9 Field Implementation (including protocols
and support)

Part IV MONITORING AND REPORTING

Section 10 Procedure and Responsible Institutions
(process documentation)
 OUTLINE OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS
Part V IMPACT EVALUATION

Part VI BUDGET AND PROGRAM FINANCING

Part VII ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Section 11 Awards and Recognition
Section 12 Incentive Mechanisms

Part VIII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 13 Research and Development
Section 14 Creation of Oversight Committee
Section 15 Separability Clause
Section 16 Effectivity
 Whereas
 water is a key natural resource in
agriculture and food production;

 it is crucial to develop, manage,

protect, and use water resources
in a more efficient, equitable, and
sustainable manner;

 freshwater is becoming scarce to

support expansion of agricultural
areas to increase food production;
Whereas
 agriculture is the biggest
water user = 80% of the total
freshwater withdrawal;

 current practice in rice

cultivation is wasteful with
irrigation utilization ranging
from 3,000 to 5,000 liters of
water to produce one
kilogram of palay;
 Whereas

 recent research results

showed that 15 to 35% of
irrigation water can be saved
without yield reduction;

 the Philippine Rice Self-

Sufficiency Plan (RSSP)
specifies the need for judicious
use of water resources in
support of the attainment of
100% sufficiency level by year
2013 on rice;
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.
 Part I
General Provisions
 Section 1
DEFINITION OF TERMS
 Cascading training approach – the method by which
specialists are trained on recent technologies to enable
them to train farmers.

Simultaneous
Training of pool on site
briefing and
of trainers technology
dissemination
activities

Targeted farms
adopt AWD
 Section 1
DEFINITION OF TERMS
 Communal irrigation system – any
small irrigation system constructed by
the National Irrigation Administration
(NIA) with the participation of
farmers;
 - irrigators’ associations (IA)
undertake
 operation and maintenance (O&M),
 collect irrigation service fees (ISF)
from farmers, and
 pay amortization for construction costs
to NIA.
 Section 1
DEFINITION OF TERMS

 Field/Farm-level irrigation-
irrigation at the level of the
turnouts and farms.

 Irrigators’ Association –
organization of farmers in a
communal irrigation system
(CIS) or irrigation unit.
 Section 1
DEFINITION OF TERMS

 National irrigation system –

medium to large size
irrigation systems;
 - constructed, operated,
and maintained by the
NIA;
 - farmers benefiting from
NIS pay ISF for services
provided by NIA O&M
personnel.
 Section 1
DEFINITION OF TERMS

 Turnout service area - a cluster of

farms of about 50 hectares.

 System-level irrigation - irrigation

or water movement at the canal
system levels
 - main canal, lateral, sub-
lateral or sub-sub-lateral
 - normally managed by NIA
O&M personnel.

July 14, 2009

 Section 2
FRAMEWORK
 This Administrative Order (AO) 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 AO provides for the mainstreaming and

institutionalization of water-saving technologies (WST) in the
functions and responsibilities of all relevant government
agencies and instrumentalities.
 Section 2
FRAMEWORK

 This AO 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

 The adoption of appropriate WST in all

irrigation systems shall be required and
enforced by the concerned National
Government Agencies (NGAs) and Local
Government Units (LGUs) through the
Irrigators’ Associations (IAs) and similar
organizations of irrigation water users.
 Section 4
COVERAGE

 This Administrative Order shall cover

the technical considerations for
WST, the dissemination and field
implementation strategies,
institutional arrangements, and other
provisions for proper and sustained
implementation.
 Part II
Technical
Considerations of WST
 Section 5
ALTERNATE WETTING AND DRYING (AWD)
AND OTHER SOUND FIELD WATER
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Upstream M idstream Downstream
6
4

Perched Water Depth (cm)

2
0

11-Feb

15-Feb

19-Feb

23-Feb

27-Feb

2-Mar

6-Mar

10-Mar

14-Mar

18-Mar

22-Mar

26-Mar

30-Mar

3-Apr

7-Apr

11-Apr
-2
-4
-6
-8
-10
-12
-14
-16
Dates (DS 2008)

Figure 1. Water regime at the root-zone in the

upstream, midstream and downstream farms
of lateral B6 who adopted AWD/CI. 2008 DS
 Section 5
ALTERNATE WETTING AND DRYING (AWD) AND
OTHER SOUND FIELD WATER MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES
AWD

Maximum Internode Panicle

tiller numberr elongation formation

Vegetative phase Reproduction phase Ripening phase

Variable 35 days 30 days
Basal application
of N, P, K fertilizer
2-5 cm depth of submergence Drain
Option1 0-1cm
1-2weeks 2-3 weeks

Mid season drainage

0-5 cm depth of submergence
1-2weeks
Option2
Top dressing of N fertilizer
Mid season drainage
Option3 1-2weeks
Option3
Maybe 3 days without
standing water or
Irrigation drained period
interval
 Section 5
AWD AND OTHER SOUND FIELD WATER
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

 The Practice of AWD/

Controlled Irrigation (CI):
 Based on experiments on
the moisture threshold that
the rice crop can withstand,

 Water level can be allowed

to drop below ground
surface
 15cm – Dry Season
 20cm – Wet Season
 Section 5
ALTERNATE WETTING AND DRYING (AWD)
AND OTHER SOUND FIELD WATER
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
 Usually implemented 20-
30 day after direct wet
seeding or transplanting

 Generates 15 to 35%
water savings compared
to the continuous flooding
practice of farmers.
 Section 6
IA CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT
 IA organization
 farmers of an irrigation system should be organized into
an IA
 active IA’s should be strengthened, and
 inactive IA’s should be revitalizedIA technical capability

 IA technical capability
 Farmer water schools (FWS) on WST will be organized
and established in every IA (upstream TSA)
 IA-to-IA exchange visits
 Field days will be conducted during the harvest season

Hotel Supreme Convention Plaza / July 14, 2009

 Section 7
IRRIGATION STRUCTURES AND
FACILITIES
 Repair and rehabilitation of irrigation structures and facilities
shall be carried out with full participation of the IA’s

 These activities shall include, but not limited to, the following:
 Repair and/or installation of measuring and control
devices;
 Repair and/or rehabilitation of canals and canal structures
 Section 7
IRRIGATION STRUCTURES AND
FACILITIES
 Regular maintenance through
removal of debris and silt deposits,
and cutting of grasses along
irrigation canals;

 Construction, repair, and

maintenance of farm ditches within
Turnout Service Areas (TSA); and

 Construction/repair of paddy bunds

or dikes for water conservation and
efficiency.
 Part III
Dissemination and
Implementation
Strategies
......Cascading approach to technology
dissemination shall be adopted to mainstream
and institutionalize WST…..

 Creation of WST Steering Committee to be chaired by the

DA- Undersecretary for Operations with the Heads of NIA,
BSWM, ATI, and PhilRice as members.

 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
Master Plan (RSMP) for 2009 – 2013.
......Cascading approach to technology
dissemination shall be adopted to mainstream
and institutionalize WST…..
 Creation of Technical Working Groups (TWG) at the national,
regional, and irrigation system levels.

 Establishment of a National Core Group of trainers consisting

of specialist and personnel from the NIA, BSWM, ATI, and
PhilRice.
 Conduct of Training of Trainers (TOT)
consisting of personnel from DA-RFUs,
BSWM, NIA, and ATI at the regional and
integrated systems levels who will be
responsible in the dissemination of WST
at the system down to the IA levels.
......Cascading approach to technology
dissemination shall be adopted to mainstream
and institutionalize WST…..
 Establishment of participative
technology demonstration farms (TDFs)
to include WST at the IA level.

 Organization of Farmers’ Water Schools (FWS), irrigation

forums, and other similar activities which shall be harmonized
with the DA’s ongoing rice production programs.

 Preparation, reproduction, and distribution of information,

education, and communication (IEC) materials on WST to be
harmonized with the extension of the FIELDS Program.
......Cascading approach to technology
dissemination shall be adopted to mainstream
and institutionalize WST…..
 Establishment and/or strengthening of the System
Management Committees (SMCs) in each national irrigation
system and similar coordination mechanisms in each
provincial irrigation office.

 Conduct of review and planning

workshops or forums.
 Section 8
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Water Saving Technology Steering
Committee (WSTSC)

National Technical Working Group

(NTWG)

Regional Technical Working Groups

(RTWG)

System Management Committee

(SMC)

Field Technical Working Group

(FTWG)
 Roles and Responsibilities

 WST Steering Committee – overall responsibility to

implement the AO shall be handled by the office of DA-Usec
for Field Operations through WST Steering Committee.

 NTWG - shall serve as the implementing body for overseeing

the dissemination and adoption of WST, and shall provide
technical assistance and support for the activities at the
regional and system levels.
 - shall be responsible to the WST Steering Committee.

 - composed of subject matter specialists from PhilRice,

BSWM, ATI, and NIA.

 Roles and Responsibilities
 RTWG - shall be responsible for WST dissemination and
implementation at the regional and systems levels;
 provide technical guidance and assistance to the provincial and
irrigation systems offices;
 monitor accomplishments and submit reports to the NTWG.

 SMC - to provide guidance and assistance to the IAs and the

irrigation water users.
 shall serve as the platform in coordinating all activities relating
to WST implementation.
 shall agree on the composition of the Field Technical Working
Group (FTWG) which shall be responsible for preparing plans
for technology dissemination, monitoring of technology
adoption, and in preparing reports to the RTWG.
 WST Steering Committee

DA – USec for Operations

Chair

PhilRice NIA BSWM ATI

Executive Director Administrator Executive Director Executive Director
Member Member Member Member
 National Technical Working Group

NIA- Asst. Admin. for Systems Operation &

Equipment Management
Chair

PhilRice NIA BSWM ATI

Subject Matter Subject Matter Subject Matter Subject Matter
Specialist Specialist Specialist Specialist
Member Member Member Member
 Regional Technical Working Group

NIA- Regional Irrigation Manager/

Operations Manager
Chair

PhilRice DA-RFUs BSWM ATI

Representative Representative Representative Representative
Member Member Member Member
 System Management Committee

NIS- Irrigation Superintendent

Chair

IA 1 IA 2 IA 3 IA …n
Representative Representative Representative Representative
Member Member Member Member
 Section 9
FIELD IMPLEMENTATION
(Including protocols and support)
 The mainstreaming of WST adoption in the operation of all
systems shall be incorporated in the MOA or contract
between the NIA and the IA.

 In harmony with the RSSP for 2009 to 2013 for all provinces
in irrigated areas, this AO shall adhere to the use of alternate
wetting and drying (AWD) techniques and other water-saving
crop management practices.
 Part IV
Monitoring and
Reporting
 Monitoring and Reporting
 The NIA’s Asst. Administrator for SOEM shall monitor WST
dissemination and adoption. He shall select personnel from
the Systems Management (SMD) and Institutional
Development Departments (IDD), and other relevant units
at the Central Office who shall compose the WST Task
Group for the review, assessment, and consolidation of
reports from the RTWGs.

 Similar Task Groups shall be organized at NIA’s regional

and irrigation management offices.

Hotel Supreme Convention Plaza / July 14, 2009

 Monitoring and Reporting

 Existing NIA O&M reporting forms shall be reviewed to

incorporate information on WST dissemination and adoption.

 Monthly reports are to be prepared and submitted to the

WST Steering Committee.

 All policy-determining matters beyond the authority of NIA

shall be referred to the said Committee, which shall develop
a feedback mechanism to monitor implementation at the
farmers’ level.
 Section 10
PROCEDURE AND RESPONSIBLE
INSTITUTIONS
 The NTWG shall come up with a plan and timetable to cover
all the provinces.

 All the irrigation systems masterlisted by NIA shall be

considered and all activities shall be closely coordinated with
the irrigation managers in these areas.

 Process documentation shall be carried out by harmonizing

and when necessary modifying existing procedures being
undertaken by NIA. Revision of forms and modification or
alignment of activities can also be adopted.
 Part V
Impact Evaluation
 Impact Evaluation
 The social, cultural, economic, environmental,
and technical impacts of WST shall be
evaluated.

 The NTWG shall prepare the Terms of

Reference (TOR) for establishing benchmark
information and carrying out the impact
evaluation.

 Expertise of SCU’s and/or other institutions

(government or private) should be tapped for
the benchmarking and impact evaluation.
 Part VI
Budget and Program
Financing
Budget and Program Financing

 Within 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.

 The fund for benchmarking and impact

evaluation shall be determined by the
NTWG.
 Budget and Program Financing

 From 2014 onwards, the NIA is hereby directed to

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) are hereby directed to include
an item 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 11
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

 In harmony with existing employees’

performance evaluation:

 At the NIA, the accomplishments on AWD

implementation of the concerned officials,
staff members, and field personnel shall be a
major criterion in judging outstanding IA’s and
NIA field personnel.
 Section 12
INCENTIVE MECHANISMS
If properly implemented, could:

Increased Increased Enhanced

irrigated/ Higher ISF
base area farmers’
planted for ISF collection/
capacity to
area collection IA Share
pay ISF

Results viability Increased ISF

incentive grants to NIA collection in
O&M personnel NIS
 Part VIII
Miscellaneous
Provisions
 Section 13
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 As indicated in the RSSP for 2009 – 2013, PhilRice, BSWM,
and other relevant institutions (e.g. SUCs, RIARCs) in close
coordination with NIA, shall continue R&D activities to
address issues that may arise in the implementation of the
WST.
 To ensure that effects on the environment and farming
community are addressed.
 To carry out R&D activities associated with the adoption and
implementation of WST at a bigger larger scale and possibly in
a system-wide level.
 Funding will be drawn from the R&D component, specifically on
the improvement of system-wide water management.
 Section 14
CREATION OF OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE
• To ensure successful implementation of the project, an
oversight committee is hereby created:

DA – USec for Operations

Chair

PhilRice NIA BSWM ATI DA-FOS

Executive Director Administrator Executive Director Executive Director Director
Member Member Member Member Member

Hotel Supreme Convention Plaza / July 14, 2009

 Section 16
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE

 Provisions of this Administrative Order

are 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 17
EFFECTIVITY

 This Order shall take effect fifteen days after

publication in a newspaper of general
circulation and its filing with the UP Law
Center and Registration with the Office of the
National Administrative Register.
End of Presentation