National Irrigation Administration, Quezon City – It was during the flag raising ceremony of the agency on August 22, 2016 at NIA flagpole when NIA Administrator Dr. Florencio F. Padernal once again encourages all the employees to remain focus on their respective work. “Tayo naman tuluy-tuloy lang ang trabaho kahit wala pa rin malinaw na direksyon sa atin” he added.
Dr. Padernal expresses his determination to incessantly provide the much needed services to our Filipino farmers. Even though things are not yet clear, the management is eager to continue the usual work they are bound to do. “We will be going to a congressional hearing this coming Thursday we have been preparing last couple of weeks for this particular event” he said.
NIA is currently undertaking the preparations for the 2017 budget for the agency. All agreed that the approval of the budget is crucial to what the agency will able to do in the coming year. Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Ms. Estrella E. Icasiano even noted that they want to see the 2017 budget ‘go and approved’ by the congress and senate.
Aside from budget hearing, Dr. Padernal personally visited Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project (MalMar) in Aleosan and Pikit, North Cotabato. MalMar is one of the big ticket projects of NIA that is said to boosts agricultural lands in five towns in North Cotabato. “We are trying to redefine and redevelop the remaining works” he noted.
The administrator also visited Negros Oriental to see how the project is properly identify, develop, and prepare as Feasibility Study and Detailed Engineering (FS&DE) is concern. Dr. Padernal believed that the project will be a milestone for Negros Oriental as it will pave way for a regular Irrigation Management Office (IMO) in the area.
The management is also persistently rushing the rebidding of the Jalaur Project. “We receive a letter of concurrence from Korea Eximbank pertaining to rebidding that we propose” Dr. Padernal said. Both agreed to expedite the project with proper execution and clearly documented.
Amid reports about NIA regarding where it will be attached, when it will happen, whom the one to lead are some of agency’s hot pot at this current season. But with the fortitude of the management to continuously go on with their functions all can still hope for the best.
