August 2021

Bulalo SIP to Irrigate...

2 Aug 2021 - 3:16pm

INAUGURATION OF SAN...

3 Aug 2021 - 7:44am

2,532 FARMERS TO BENEFIT...

4 Aug 2021 - 11:55am

NIA and SNAP-MI sign P19...

6 Aug 2021 - 9:28am

Bulalo SIP to Irrigate Agri Lands in Tagaytay City

August 2, 2021, 3:16 PM

NIA CALABARZON – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) conducted the Turnover Ceremony of the P6-million Bulalo Small Irrigation Project (Bulalo SIP) located in Barangay Iruhin East, Tagaytay City, Cavite on July 27, 2021. Presided by Senior Deputy Administrator Abraham B. Bagasin, the project was turned-over to the Bulalo Damayan Irrigators Association, Inc., headed by the IA President Fernando Burazon, for its operation and maintenance.

Bulalo SIP includes the construction of solar pump, solar pump facilities and accessories, two concrete water tanks, trash track, pipelines, and check structures. The project is expected to provide timely and reliable irrigation water supply to 15 hectares of agricultural lands in Tagaytay City, benefitting 34 farmers and their families.

In his message, Senior Deputy Administrator Bagasin shared the significant role of close inter-agency coordination in the completion of various irrigation projects nationwide. He emphasized that these projects are for the benefits of the farmers and contribution to agricultural development.

"Nagpapasalamat kami sa ating mga LGUs na talagang sumusuporta sa ating mga proyekto. Hindi magiging matagumpay ang mga ganitong proyekto ng pamahalaan kung wala ang suporta ng ating mga kasamahan sa Provincial, District, at Local Governments", said Senior Deputy Administrator Bagasin.

NIA CALABARZON Regional Manager Romeo M. Lopez highlighted the great contribution of agriculture to economic development. He also cited that the Agency is not only focusing on irrigating rice lands but also to our farmlands catering diversified/high value crops.

"Isa ang proyektong ito sa tinatawag nating modernization effort ng ating mga irrigation facilities. Ang solar irrigation project na ito ay malaki ang maitutulong sa ating mga magsasaka para mabawasan ang kanilang gastos sa pagsasaka, sapagkat hindi na sila gagastos pa sa gasolina para mapatakbo nila ang kanilang mga water pumps", said Regional Manager Lopez.

Officials from NIA CALABARZON Regional Office, Cavite-Batangas Irrigation Management Office (CBIMO), and Local Government Units (LGUs), IA officers, and farmers attended the ceremony.

Capping the event was the ceremonial turnover of the symbolic keys of five other irrigation projects in the Province of Cavite, namely, 1) Pacheco PCIP to Pacheco Agrarian Reform Cooperative, headed by IA President Filomino Hernandez, 2) Balayungan PIP to Malainen Luna Eco-Farm IA, represented by IA President Darwin Saloria, 3) Urdaneta PIP to Urdaneta Magallanes IA, headed by IA President Pablito Rogador, 4) Medina PIP to Magallanes Samahang Magsasaka ng Kay-Apas at Medina Agriculture Cooperative, represented by IA President Mariano Maligaya, and 5) Ramirez PIP to Ramirez IA, headed by IA President Rey Villaruel.

NIA Top Management Officials, headed by Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, assure that the Agency will continue to develop solar power projects due to its environmental-friendliness, durability, resistance to corrosion, and long-term cost effectiveness, thus uplifting the lives of greater Filipino farmers.

From left to right: Tagaytay City Councilor Rey Espiritu, NIA-CBIMO OIC Jaime De Jesus, NIA CALABARZON Regional Manager Romeo M. Lopez, NIA Senior Deputy Administrator Abraham B. Bagasin, Bulalo Damayan IA President Fernando Burazon, NIA CALABARZON AFD Manager Reynaria N. Tapia, and NIA CALABARZON EOD Manager Erwin M. Lucela during the Turnover Ceremony of SIP located in Barangay Iruhin East, Tagaytay City, Cavite

Ceremonial Signing of Turnover Documents of Bulalo SIP

Turnover Ceremony of Pacheco PCIP to Pacheco Agrarian Reform Cooperative, headed by IA President Filomino Hernandez

Turnover Ceremony of Balayungan PIP to Malainen Luna Eco-Farm IA, represented by IA President Darwin Saloria

Turnover Ceremony of Urdaneta PIP to Urdaneta Magallanes IA, headed by IA President Pablito Rogador

Turnover Ceremony of Medina PIP to Magallanes Samahang Magsasaka ng Kay-Apas at Medina Agriculture Cooperative, headed by IA President Mariano Maligaya

Turnover Ceremony of Ramirez PIP to Ramirez IA, headed by IA President Rey Villaruel

**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

INAUGURATION OF SAN ISIDRO AND PEÑARANDA SOLAR-POWERED PUMPS: IMPROVEMENT OF IRRIGATION FACILITIES IN NUEVA ECIJA

August 3, 2021, 7:44 AM

NIA UPRIIS- Independent power system for irrigation will now benefit 273 farmers in the province of Nueva Ecija as the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) headed by Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya inaugurates newly completed Solar-Powered Pumps located at Barangay Pulo, San Isidro and Barangay San Josef, Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija on July 27, 2021.

The ceremony includes Ribbon Cutting, Unveiling of Marker, Blessing, and Ceremonial Test Run of Solar-Powered Pumps attended by NIA Top Management, Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS) Heads and Staff, Local Government Unit (LGU) Leaders and Representatives, and Irrigators’ Association (IA) Officers.

As the program starts, IA President of Peñaranda and Representative of San Isidro LGU expressed their gratitude to the whole Agency. They emphasized the immense advantage and effect of having solar-powered pump irrigation projects as it will reduce the production cost in their barangays.

“Ang pagtatayo ng solar-powered pumps ay isa sa mga bago at daynamikong proyekto na pinagtutuunan ng pansin ng NIA, sapagkat malaki ang naitutulong nito sa mga magsasaka hindi lamang para mabawasan ang konsumo sa paggamit ng tradisyunal na diesel powered pump kundi pati na rin sa pagpoprotekta sa ating kalikasan”, NIA UPRIIS Department Manager, Engr. Rosalinda B. Bote mentioned in her speech.

The San Isidro Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project is located at Brgy. Pulo, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija with a service area of 323.2762 hectares. The total cost of this project is P17,780,519.47 with 159 farmer beneficiaries covering Barangays Pulo and Mangga. While the Peñaranda Solar-Powered Irrigation Project is located at Brgy. San Josef, Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija with a service area of 228.878 hectares costing Php 20,461.285.99. This project covers Barangays Poblacion I, Poblacion II, Santo Tomas in Peñaranda and Pambuan in Gapan City with a total of 114 farmer beneficiaries. The system capacity of both solar panels is 90,390 watts.

NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya said on his speech that even solar-powered pump projects are more expensive, more or less it will reach 25 years in providing service and also maintenance free.

“Kung yung pump ay one hundred thousand lang whereas the solar is about millions of pesos, in the long run makakatipid ang ating mga magsasaka, mas marami ang mapoproduce nila at gaganda ang buhay nila”, he added.

Further, the Administrator voiced his gratitude for the cooperation of all people behind the success of the projects in the province of Nueva Ecija. “Sa atin pong mga magsasaka, patuloy po tayong magtulungan, itong mga solar panels sana alagaan natin”, he said.

The Agency is hoping that success will continue to ignite and inspire each and every one to be of service to Filipino farmers.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of Solar-Powered Pumps in Nueva Ecija

NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya delivers his message.

Blessing Ceremony of the Solar-Powered Projects

Unveiling of the Marker

Ceremonial Test Run of the Solar-Powered Projects

**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

2,532 FARMERS TO BENEFIT FROM P46.92-MILLION WORTH OF IRRIGATION PROJECTS IN CAMARINES SUR, BICOL

August 4, 2021, 11:55 AM

NIA Region V – A total of 2,532 farmers tilling 1,963.12 hectares of agricultural land in Camarines Sur, Bicol Region will benefit from the recently inaugurated and turned over irrigation systems by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on July 28-29, 2021. These projects with an aggregate cost of P46,924,543.18 include 1) P26.160-million Pump House and Farm Pond at Tigman- Hinagyanan-Inarihan River Irrigation System (THIRIS) in Calabanga, Camarines Sur, 2) P14.077-million Punta Diamante Pump Irrigation System in Canaman, Camarines Sur, and 3) P6.686-million rehabilitated Taisan CIS Dam (Sibagat Small Reservoir Irrigation Project) in Minalabac, Camarines Sur.

The construction of Check Gate of Punta Diamante Pump Irrigation System is expected to provide timely and reliable irrigation service to 250-hectares of agricultural land in Barangays Haring, San Agustin, San Vicente, and portion of Dinaga, Canaman, Camarines Sur benefitting 122 farmers and their families. Also, the construction of Pump House, Farm Pond, Canal Structures and Canalization Works of Tigman-Hinagyanan-Inarihan River Irrigation System (THIRIS) will provide irrigation service to 1,363.12-hectares in Calabanga, Camarines Sur that will benefit 2,245 Bicolano farmers. And, the newly rehabilitated Taisan Dam is set to irrigate 350-hectares of farmlands in the Barangays San Jose and Magadap in Minalabac, Camarines Sur with 165 farmer beneficiaries.

The inauguration of the irrigation projects under NIA Region V was led by NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya. Present also in the event were NIA Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Romeo G. Gan, Camarines Sur 2^nd District Representative Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Camarines Sur 3^rd District Representative Gabriel Bordado, Municipality of Minalabac Mayor Christopher Lizardo, NIA Region V Manager Freddie M. Toquero, Camarines Sur Irrigation Management Office (CSIMO) Acting Manager Alvin L. Macasinag and local farmers.

Camarines Sur 2^nd District Representative Luis Raymund Villafuerte expressed his gratitude to NIA for the irrigation projects in the province that significantly impacts Bicolano farmers. He also called for support for the Sustainable Bicol River Irrigation System.

“Sana po patuloy pa rin ang pagmamahal at pagtulong niyo sa aming probinsiya. Ang Camarines Sur ay top 5 in the country as rice producing province. Kahit na konti pa lang ang irrigation systems namin dahil karamihan ay rain fed ay top 5 kami. Kaya ako nakikiusap sa NIA sana magtulungan po tayong lahat starting from General Visaya down to the lowest level employee ng NIA para matuloy po ‘yong tinutulak namin na Sustainable Bicol River Irrigation System. More than 2,000 hectares po ang matutulungan na mga farmers ng mga pananim na bigas, pag ito po matapos baka mag top 3 po kami sa buong Pilipinas,” he said in his message.

Further, Administrator Visaya stressed in his message that NIA continues to develop and construct irrigation systems nationwide amidst the pandemic.

“For the last two months lang, including these in Camarines Sur, we inaugurated 153 projects worth more than P11 Billion. Tatlo ngayon ang na-inaugurate namin dito sa Camarines Sur. And for next month, sa August, we will be inaugurating about 35 projects worth P2.7 Billion. So isa lang po ang ibig sabihin nito, walang pandemya sa NIA. Tuloy ang daloy NIA,” Administrator Visaya said.

NIA Top Management Officials, headed by Administrator Visaya, assured that the Agency remains committed to its mandate of developing and maintaining irrigation systems in support of the agricultural program of the government most especially in this time of pandemic.

NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya delivers his message for the Inauguration of NIA Region V irrigation projects

(Left to Right) San Jose Magadap IA, Inc. President Mr. Miguel B. Agravante, Camarines Sur 2^nd District Representative Luis Raymund Villafuerte, NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, NIA Region V Manager Freddie M. Toquero, and NIA Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Romeo G. Gan at Taisan CIS Dam (Sibagat Small Reservoir Irrigation Project) in Minalabac, Camarines Sur

Unveiling and Blessing of the Punta Diamante Pump Irrigation System in Canaman, Camarines Sur

(Left to Right) NIA Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Romeo G. Gan, Camarines Sur 3^rd District Representative Gabriel Bordado, NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya and NIA Region V Manager Freddie M. Toquero at Pump House and Farm Pond at Tigman- Hinagyanan-Inarihan River Irrigation System (THIRIS) in Calabanga, Camarines Sur

Taisan CIS Dam (Sibagat Small Reservoir Irrigation Project) in Minalabac, Camarines Sur

Punta Diamante Pump Irrigation System in Canaman, Camarines Sur

Pump House and Farm Pond at Tigman- Hinagyanan-Inarihan River Irrigation System (THIRIS) in Calabanga, Camarines Sur

Test Run of Pump House and Farm Pond at Tigman- Hinagyanan-Inarihan River Irrigation System (THIRIS)

**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 and SNAP-MI sign P19.986-million Settlement and Release Agreement

August 6, 2021, 9:28 AM

NIA Central Office – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), represented by Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, and SN Aboitiz Power-Magat, Inc. (SNAP-MI), represented by President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joseph S. Yu, signed the Settlement and Release Agreement amounting to P19,986,308.78 on August 3, 2021 at the Administrator’s Conference Room, 2^nd Floor, Building B. The amount serves as a payment of SNAP-MI to NIA for the utilization of excess irrigation water for power generation.

SNAP-MI acquired the 360-megawatt Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant (MHEPP) from the National Power Corporation (NPC) in a competitive bidding conducted by Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM). As part of the acquisition, NIA entered into an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Agreement with SNAP-MI on December 13, 2006 for the non-power components of the Magat Dam owned and operated by NIA primarily for irrigation purposes and secondarily for power generation.

In the course of the implementation of the O&M Agreement, some issues have arisen in relation to the interpretation and application of certain provisions thereof. On June 18, 2008, in order to resolve the then pending issue on the pricing of water for the volume used in excess of the Irrigation Diversion Requirement (IDR) during times that the actual reservoir elevation is above the Rule Curve Elevation, the MHEPP Oversight Committee (OC) issued Resolution No. 1, series of 2008 providing the unit of price of water to be adopted in computing the water service fee for MHEPP.

For the period of November 2010 to February 2011, NIA is claiming from SNAP-MI the amount of P9,267,898.79 as income opportunity loss due to non-use by SNAP-MI of the full IDR for generation of electricity while the latter is operating for ancillary services. SNAP-MI has disputed on the basis that the service fees shall be computed based on the volume of water used for power generation as provided under the Section 3.1 of the O&M Agreement (Issue No. 1).

For the period of May 2009 to September 2009, NIA is claiming from SNAP-MI the amount of P10,718,409.99 for water consumed above the IDR during spilling conditions following the rate P0.062 as prescribed under the OC Resolution, but which SNAP-MI has disputed on the basis that the regular rate of P0.031 shall be applied in case of surplus flows that would otherwise be spilled if not used for power generation pursuant to the exception in Section 3.6 of the O&M Agreement (Issue No. 2). The two parties have different positions on the service fee adjustment provided in Section 3.1.1 of the O&M Agreement, particularly on the frequency, rate, increase/decrease, and conditions applicable thereto (Issue No. 3).

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements established, the Parties agreed that SNAP-MI shall pay a sum of P19,986,308.78 in full and final settlements of Issue Nos. 1 and 2, receipt of which is acknowledged by NIA. The Parties also agreed to modify the O&M Agreement, such that the Service Fee payable by SNAP-MI to NIA shall be computed based on the allocated IDR, whether or not such IDR was utilized by SNAP-MI for the generation of electricity. The Parties also agreed to exert commercially reasonable efforts to reach a mutually beneficial agreement to resolve Issue No. 3 and the prospective application of provisions relevant to Issue No. 2 in an expeditious manner.

All discussions and negotiations with a view to establish an agreement on the foregoing issues became possible and successful through the persistent efforts of NIA Investment Committee on Renewable Energy and Development (NIA-ICRED) through Atty. Mary Annabelle F. Cruz-Domingo.

NIA Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Romeo G. Gan, NIA Financial Management Department Manager Editha D. Morales, and some executives of SNAP-MI witnessed the Settlement and Release Agreement.

NIA Top Management Officials, headed by Administrator Visaya, assure that the management continues to explore every option for maximizing the use of its dams and reservoirs nationwide with the goal of increasing the NIA’s income that may add up to the operating expenses of the Agency in serving our farmer

NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya (4^th from left), SNAP-MI President and CEO Joseph S. Yu, NIA Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Romeo G. Gan (3^rd from left), NIA Financial Management Department Manager Editha D. Morales (2^nd from left), and the executives of SNAP-MI during the signing of the Settlement and Release Agreement on August 3, 2021 at the Administrator’s Conference Room, 2^nd Floor, Building B, NIA Central Office