Strengthening Institutional Links for Irrigation Water Governance

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Despite the huge irrigation investments, the performance of the Philippine irrigation sector has barely improved through the years. This Policy Note revisits the arrangements for the Philippine water resource governance across macro- and meso-level agencies to point out inefficiencies. Among others, it finds that behind the weak performance of the irrigation sector is the fragmented development planning, with several agencies not necessarily linked to one another. It thus suggests for the crafting of an integrated irrigation development plan and calls for the creation of an apex body for water to harmonize policies of the water sector and connect various actors involved in managing water resources. It argues that irrigation cannot afford to be isolated from the other water institutions.