Press Release

NIA Central Office – NIA Administrator Ricardo R Visaya’s fundamental pillar of governance is to improve the delivery of irrigation services in operations and project implementation. To ensure the attainment of these services, Administrator Visaya issued several memoranda. One of which is the Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 40, series of 2017, and likewise enforcing MC No. 10, series of 2017.

MC No. 40, s. 2017, provides that when negative slippage of 5% (Early Warning Stage), the contractor shall be given a warning and required to submit a detailed “catch-up” program on a fortnightly (two weeks) basis to eliminate the slippage. On the other hand, if negative slippage of 10% is incurred (ICU Stage), the contractor shall be issued a final warning and required to come up with a more detailed program of activities with weekly physical targets, together with the required input resources. Meanwhile, if the negative slippage reaches 15% or more (Terminal Stage), the implementing offices shall initiate the termination of the contract and/or take-over of the remaining work by administration or assignment to another contractor/appropriate agency.

NIA Central Office – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) initiates the adoption of Diversified Cropping in National and Communal Irrigation Systems (NISs/CISS) to lessen the effects of Global Warming and Climate Change in the agricultural sector, effective Dry Season of CY 2020 through the issuance of NIA Memorandum Circular No. 63, s. 2019.

In this regard, NIA, at any given time, shall ensure the continuous and bountiful harvest and that interventions, whether technical or procedural, be adopted to mitigate or lessen the effects of Climate Change, particularly, in the supply of irrigation water. Hence, the adoption of this procedural intervention, the Diversification of Crops, is deemed vital in securing the profitability of our Filipino farmers.

The memorandum also enumerated the factors that must be considered in crop selection. These include the suitability to present soil condition, such as soil texture, soil pH or acidity, and soil fertility, the adaptability to existing climate condition in the area, such as temperature level, rainfall, intensity of light/yield, and day length, the high productivity potential and high tolerance to pests and diseases, the knowledge in cultural/cultivation requirements, crop profitability, and the availability of market for farm produce.

Diliman, Quezon City – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), represented by Administrator Ricardo R Visaya, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), represented by Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the purpose of effective management and development of the 143 watersheds supporting the National Irrigation Systems (NISs) in the Philippines on August 05, 2019 at the DENR Central Office.

By the virtue of the DENR Memorandum Circular (DMC) No. 2008-05, the guidelines in the preparation of Integrated Watershed Management Plans (IWMP) and programs of all watersheds in the country, regardless of their classification, size, use, and administrative jurisdiction, was issued. In this regard, there is a need to establish and delineate the respective responsibilities of the DENR and NIA over watersheds and reservations, for purposes of effective management and development of programs and projects toward the sustainable existence of irrigation systems within the said areas. Similarly, the concept of Watershed Ecosystem Management (WEM) from ridge to reef approach, including vulnerability assessment, must be harmonized and adopted.