Generally, these are small irrigation projects constructed by NIA with either foreign loan assistance or out of funds appropriated from existing Acts or Presidential Decrees appropriating sums for public works projects. With an area of less than 1,000 has., these projects are constructed with the participation of farmer-beneficiaries through their irrigators associations. After completion, these systems are turned over to irrigators associations for operation and maintenance.
NIA charges a minimum of 1.5 cavans/hectare/year as annual amortization from beneficiaries. The association repay the construction cost in a period not more than fifty (50) years. Repayment accrue to the funds for further irrigation development. Under the program called Balikatan Sagip Patubig Project (BSPP), the NIA, the IA and the Local Government Units provide counterpart funds in the construction or repair of irrigation project/system.