Question & AnswerQ&A (DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 28)
The NIA is the primary agency in charge of irrigation development in the Philippines.
The order aims to enhance the implementation efficiency of Official Development Assistance (ODA)-funded irrigation projects by imposing cost control guidelines to prevent cost overruns and delays.
NIA must provide firmed and updated cost, design parameters, and implementation schedule based on empirical data, current market prices, sound assumptions, and previous experiences.
NIA must secure a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with concerned Local Government Units (LGUs) regarding ROW acquisition, stipulating that cost increases will be partially or fully borne by the LGUs.
Contracts must be consistent with the ICC approved cost and implementation schedule, and any variation requires revision in NIA's Budget Strategy, concurrence of the NIA Board and DA, and ICC's approval before implementation.
The procurement process from the opening of bids to the award of contracts shall not exceed three months.
Increases due to changes in scope, quantities, or price escalations must be limited to a maximum of 10% of the original contract cost and be accommodated within the project contingency.
Penalties such as termination of contracts and blacklisting of contractors shall be imposed as disincentives to poor-performing contractors.
The PMO's performance is monitored to ensure efficient, effective, honest, and economical use of resources, with sanctions such as fines, suspension, or replacement of staff violating the Code of Conduct under RA 6713.
Extensions require the concurrence of the NIA Board and DA, and approval or notation of the ICC prior to continuing project implementation.
Projects implemented by phases must undergo ex-post or impact evaluation at the end of each phase, and subsequent phases are allowed only upon completion of at least 75% of the preceding phase targets.
The Budget Strategy must be updated annually to reflect changes in cost and schedule, and must be concurred by the NIA Board and DA before endorsement to NEDA and DBM.
DA, through its Planning Service and Field Operation Service, monitors NIA’s compliance with the Organization Performance Indicator Framework and uses NIA’s accomplishments as a basis for budget allocation.
The order enforces RA 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, sanctioning violations with fines, suspension, or replacement.