The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) supports the information integrity coalition #FactsFirstPH in upholding truth and accountability in public information. The Agency stands firmly against the spread of misinformation and unverified claims that mislead the public and undermine the credibility of reputable institutions.
Following the recent events concerning the Agency, NIA has released verified information regarding social media posts about the Maguing Communal Irrigation Project (CIP) in Barangay Bato-Bato, Maguing, Lanao del Sur. Based on the validation conducted by the NIA Northern Mindanao (Region X) and the Lanao del Sur Irrigation Management Office (IMO), the photos posted by the Artikulo Pilipino Facebook page were verified to have been taken from the actual Maguing CIP site. However, these photos are outdated and do not represent the current condition of the area.
As directed by NIA Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen, the NIA Public Relations (PR) Team, Operations Department, Regional Offices in Mindanao led by Project Coordinator Engr. Salome N. Layasan, and local Irrigators Associations (IAs) conducted a joint site inspection on October 13-14, 2025. The team documented the completed construction works, including operational canal structures and lateral sections. Inspection results showed that the irrigation facilities are consistent with the approved project designs and specifications.
“NIA upholds transparency and due diligence in all its undertakings. We encourage the public to verify information through official sources and to rely on validated data before drawing conclusions,” said NIA Administrator Guillen.
NIA welcomes independent verification and public review of its projects while advising caution against misinformation circulated online. The Agency also continues to coordinate with Local Government Units (LGUs) and farmer-beneficiaries to ensure that irrigation systems remain functional and properly maintained. These initiatives form part of NIA’s continuing effort to promote transparency, accountability, and the integrity of irrigation development projects nationwide.
