Senior Deputy Administrator Abraham B. Bagasin (middle left) and Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Romeo G. Gan (outermost left) receive the 17 heavy equipment keys from Volvo Vice President for Machine Sales Chito Litam (middle right) and Machine Sales Representative Ramir Ferrer (outermost right) during the Ceremonial Turnover of P110.5-million heavy equipment as part of the Agency’s Three-Year Re-fleeting Program.
NIA Central Office – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) acquired 17 units of heavy equipment worth P110.5M for use in irrigation project implementation, as well as for the operation and maintenance of existing National and Communal Irrigation Systems nationwide. The acquisition of heavy equipment is one of the Four-Point Agenda of NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya.
In a simple turnover ceremony held on September 10, 2018 at the NIA Grounds, the heavy equipment was turned over by the winning bidder, Volvo Merchandising, Inc., to NIA Top Management witnessed by CO Department Managers and employees.
The purchase of heavy equipment constitutes the three-year re-fleeting program of 40 wheeled excavators for CY 2017-2019, which can be broken down as follows: 17 for CY 2017, 18 for CY 2018, and five (5) for CY 2019.
As of December 31, 2017, NIA maintained in operating condition 3,245 units of heavy, light/transport, other support, and special equipment in support to the operations and maintenance of irrigation systems nationwide. Of these, the Agency has a total of 383 existing heavy equipment. Out of which, only 23 units are in good operating condition and 360 units are very old, less reliable, and operating intermittently. Thus, the three-year re-fleeting program is a great relief to efficient NIA operations.
In his message of acceptance, Senior Deputy Administrator (SDA) Abraham B. Bagasin took the opportunity to express his deepest gratitude to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, CMI, and the members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for the realization of the program.
“The heavy equipment in sight are the first we received after almost 30 years. Ganon katagal na walang bagong heavy equipment ang ating ahensiya. Thanks to President [Rodrigo Roa] Duterte for his strong support to NIA in its irrigation development program. We still have a proposed budget of P149.5 million for 23 wheeled excavators in the next two years. I hope that this step would serve as an essential instrument towards the achievement of a new milestone for the Agency”, said SDA Bagasin.
In addition, SDA Bagasin said, “The heavy equipment is in response to the clamor of our farmers for immediate response to damaged irrigation facilities caused by force majeure.”
NIA is now ascertaining its vital contribution to the faster and better implementation of irrigation infrastructure projects contributing to the inclusive socio-economic growth and agricultural development of the country through efficiency in equipment management.
**For questions and/or clarifications, you may contact:
PILIPINA P. BERMUDEZ, CESE
Department Manager A
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
E-mail: vparamio@yahoo.com
Mobile: 0995 251 7847
Landline: 921-3741
