March 15, 2016, 10:15 AM

(2nd From L) UPRIIS Acting Department Manager Engr. Florentino R. David accompanied (3rd From L) NIA Administrator Dr. Florencio F. Padernal during the administrator's regular project visitation in Upper Tabuating Small Reservoir Irrigation Project on March 3, 2016.

NIA Central Office, Quezon City - In line with NIA Administrator Dr. Florencio F. Padernal drives to accelerate the on-going construction of various irrigation projects all throughout the country; NIA Administrator Dr. Florencio F. Padernal personally visited various irrigation projects one of which is the Upper Tabuating Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (UT-SRIP) in Nueva Ecija on March 3, 2016.

UT-SRIP is said to potentially irrigate at least 700 hectares benefiting at least 350 farmers in barangays of Nazareth,Bago, Rio Chico of General Tinio, and Brgy. San Mariano of Peñaranda Nueva Ecija. The dam structure will be a 25.56-meters- high and 750 meters long. Its reservoir is projected to have a maximum elevation of 107.50 meters and a storage capacity of 4.96 million cubic meters.

The dam and reservoir is situated in the boundaries of Palayan City (Fort Magsaysay) and General Tinio, Municipality of Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija. Aside from its irrigation component, the project will also serve as a flood control mechanism and a source of livelihood among the nearby communities. The construction started last February 2015 and set to complete December next year.

Dr. Padernal also made time to visit Padada River Irrigation System (PADADA RIS) in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur.

(R) NIA Administrator Dr. Florencio F. Padernal asks some questions regarding the technical details of the project during his field inspection in Nueva Ecija on March 3, 2016.

(R) NIA Administrator Dr. Florencio F. Padernal also visited PADADA River Irrigation System, in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. With him is (3rd From L) Regional Irrigation Manager Engr. Felix M. Razo.