The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has committed to work closely with the Korea Rural Community Corp. (KRC) on food security, disaster prevention, and climate change response with last Friday.
NIA signed an agreement fostering cooperation with the KRC in implementing projects related to water resource development and management, irrigation and drainage facilities improvement.
The partnership also involves related initiatives through multilateral development banks and the South Korean government’s grants and loans, among others.
“For more than seven decades, Korea has been an ally and a partner of the Philippines in socio-economic development. Some of NIA’s projects were funded by the Korean government, either through a grant or loan agreement,” said Eddie Guillen, NIA acting administrator, in a statement.
Guillen said the areas of cooperation include the exchange of experience and technology in the fields of water resources, irrigation and drainage as well as in smart water management systems.
NIA also mentioned exchange visits, education and training programs, seminars, workshops and other relevant activities, as well as the exploration of additional areas of cooperation.
A joint steering committee composed of one co-chairperson from NIA and KRC with up to four members and one secretary for each party shall also be created to oversee projects in the designated fields.
NIA is the lead agency for developing sources of water for irrigation and has partnered with private firms and other government offices.
Recent value-adding projects where it has involvement include installing floating solar power plants and run-of-river hydro power projects.
