January 2021

NIA Acquires P57.8-...
5 Jan 2021 - 2:08pm
NIA reaffirms that...
6 Jan 2021 - 2:17pm

NIA Acquires P57.8-million Light and Transport Equipment

January 5, 2021, 2:08 PM

 

NIA Central Office – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) acquires 34 units of light and transport equipment worth P57.8 million for use in the monitoring and evaluation of the status of on-going construction and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) activities. The acquisition of light/transport equipment is in line with the Four-Point Agenda of Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, particularly in instituting measures to improve the delivery of services, such as but not limited to, modernization of equipment for operations and project implementation.

In a simple turnover ceremony on December 22, 2020 at the NIA Grounds, the light and transport equipment was turned over by the winning bidder, CT Citimotors, to NIA Top Management witnessed by Central Office Department Managers and employees.

 The purchase of light/transport and heavy equipment is part of the three-year re-fleeting program of the Agency from CY 2017. For CY 2017, NIA purchased 34 units of light/transport vehicles and 17 units of heavy equipment. For CY 2018, NIA acquired 91 units of light/transport vehicles and 18 units of heavy equipment. Meanwhile, five units of heavy equipment and 91 units of light/transport vehicles were set for procurement in 2019.

As of December 31, 2018, NIA maintained in operating condition 3,383 units of heavy, light/transport, other support, and special equipment in support to the operations and maintenance of irrigation systems nationwide. On the other hand, 600 units of equipment are non-operable, while 1,346 units of equipment are recommended for disposal. Thus, the three-year re-fleeting program is expected to make NIA operations more efficient and reliable.

Preceding the turnover ceremony of equipment was the handover of the financial assistance amounting to P625,000.00 from NIA Top Management Officials to the NIA Employees’ Association of the Philippines – National Capital Region (NIAEASP-NCR) for the victims of Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. Part of the P625,000.00 is a contribution from NIA Central Office employees.

TURNOVER CEREMONY OF LIGHT AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT FROM CITI CITIMOTORS TO NIA TOP MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS

HANDOVER OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM NIA TOP MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS TO NIAEASP-NCR FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOONS ROLLY AND ULYSSES

**For questions and/or clarifications, you may contact:

EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA
Acting Department Manager
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
E-mail: evcselva2000@yahoo.com
Landline: (02) 8921-3741
 
 

NIA reaffirms that recent flooding in Cagayan Valley is not wholly attributed to Magat Dam

January 6, 2021, 2:17 PM

 

NIA Central Office – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) reaffirms that the recent flooding in Cagayan Valley is not wholly attributed to Magat Dam located in the Municipality of Ramon, Isabela.

During the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) in Luzon on November 11-12, 2020, Magat Dam was pinpointed as the culprit in the widespread flooding within the Cagayan Valley Region, especially, in Central Isabela and in the entire stretch of lower Cagayan River System down to Aparri, Cagayan. However, based on the Flood Bulletin No. 3 Cagayan River Basin of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Northern Luzon Regional Services Division, these areas were identified as low-lying and flood prone areas in the Region.

Cagayan River Basin is subdivided into three parts: Upper Cagayan River Basin (Ganano and Magat), Middle Cagayan River Basin (Siffu-Mallig, Pinacanauan Rivers of Ilagan, Tumaini, and San Pablo), and Lower Cagayan River Basin (Pinacanauan de Tuguegarao, Chico Pared, and Dummun).

Magat River Basin is only one of the 20 river systems within the Cagayan River Basin. Studies showed that Magat Dam contributes only 15% of the river basin’s total water storage capacity and 21% if the considered control point will be in Buntun Bridge, Tuguegarao City.

According to the Dam Protocols, PAGASA issues the Notice for Flood Precaution Period of the Dam Discharge Warning Operation for the Magat River Basin. If due to its data analysis and weather projection, heavy amount of rainfall may be expected within the next 24 hours due to large scale weather system. It is only upon the receipt of this Notice that the NIA-MARIIS Dam and Reservoir Division Flood Forecasting Warning System Dam Operation (FFWSDO) will activate its extensive early warning operation. This is a public warning system installed downstream of Magat Dam along Magat River, informing those in the low-lying areas regarding the opening of Magat Dam gate/s. Communication with stakeholders through various media is also sent for information dissemination and appropriate action. It is to be made clear that the handling of natural occurrences, such as this, is not the sole domain of NIA but a concerted effort of the Local Government Units (LGUs), Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMCs), all forms of media, the farmers, and other stakeholders in the affected communities.

The gradual opening of dam gates aims to lessen/drawdown reservoir elevation and to contain the water inflows expected in the forecasted heavy rainfall. However, Magat Reservoir drawdown should still be in accordance with its Rule Operational Curve. It cannot be done impulsively. Any adjustment or revision of the rule curve entails a study and coordination with various stakeholders, including PAGASA and Department of Agriculture (DA).

In this regard, the recent flooding in some parts of Cagayan Province cannot be wholly attributed to Magat Dam because that is an effect of the Frontal System and Amihan enhanced by Tropical Depression Vicky. The inflow and outflow experienced on December 19, 2020 is lesser by a half of the inflow and outflow of Typhoon Ulysses. Yet, even without spillage from the Magat Dam, flooding was already experienced in portions of Cagayan, which affected 219 farmers comprising 213 hectares of agricultural land in Cagayan Province, while MARIIS recorded 2,670 hectares of affected area (2,231 farmers).

With all data provided by the Agency, NIA Top Management Officials, headed by Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, stand firm that the recent flooding in the Province of Cagayan and some portions of Isabela was caused by natural calamities which are beyond human control, contrary to the press release of Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura dated December 21, 2020 accusing NIA of failing twice in dam water release. The Agency reaffirms that the opening of Magat Dam gates was in accordance with the existing guidelines.

As review of the protocol is on process, its finalization and subsequent implementation requires consensus of different Agencies. Magat Dam gates cannot and will not be opened and closed at the whim of NIA because life and property may be at a greater risk of danger.

 
**For questions and/or clarifications, you may contact:
 

EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA
Acting Department Manager
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
E-mail: evcselva2000@yahoo.com
Landline: (02) 8921-3741