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P664.75-million Bayuyan SRIP now under way

March 31, 2023, 1:52 PM

NIA Region VI – The construction of the P664.75-million Bayuyan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (Bayuyan SRIP) officially started as NIA Acting Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen led the Groundbreaking and Capsule-Laying Ceremony of the project on March 16, 2023 at the Gatekeeper’s Quarters, Barangay Bayuyan, President Roxas, Capiz.

As the biggest irrigation project of NIA in the Province of Capiz by far, Bayuyan SRIP covers 594 hectares of agricultural land on eight barangays in the Municipality of President Roxas, namely, Bayuyan, Badiangon, Culilang, Goce, Carmencita, Cubay, Ibaca, and Sto. Niño. With 540 farmer-beneficiaries, the project is expected to be completed by December 2025. Aside from the provision of year-round irrigation to the local farming communities, the project will provide other incidental benefits, such as flood control, environmental and watershed management, agro-tourism promotion, and aquaculture development, among others.

In his message, Administrator Guillen solicited the support of all stakeholders toward the success of the project. He emphasized that the project reflects the undying commitment of NIA to fast-track irrigation development and to uplift the lives of greater Filipino farmers.

“Ang Bayuyan SRIP ay sumasalamin sa patuloy na pagseserbisyo ng NIA sa ating mga magsasakang Capiznon. Dalawa po ang misyon ng NIA: ang makapagbigay ng mahusay na serbisyo-patubig at maiangat ang kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka. Kung tayo po ay magtutulungan, wala pong imposible”, Administrator Guillen said.

Present during the event were NIA Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector Engr. C’zar M. Sulaik, NIA Region VI Manager Engr. Rory F. Avance, JRMP-II Project Manager Engr. Jonel B. Bores, Aklan-Capiz Irrigation Management Office Division Manager Engr. Raymond B. Mojares, representatives from different National Government Agencies, and Local Government Units, NIA regional employees, Irrigators Association (IA) officers and members, farmers, and media partners.

#bayaNIAn

#TuloyAngDaloyNIA
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For inquiries and/or clarifications, you may contact:

EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA

Department Manager A

NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff

Email: pais@nia.gov.ph

Landline: (02) 8921-3741

NIA Administrator Guillen (3^rd from left) leads the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony of the Bayuyan SRIP.

Laying of Time Capsule

Burying of Time Capsule

NIA Administrator Guillen delivers his message during the Groundbreaking of Bayuyan SRIP.

1^st row from left to right: BSBC IA President Enrico Banico, Jr., Acting Aklan-Capiz IMO Manager Engr. Raymond B. Mojares, NIA Deputy Administrator Sulaik, NIA Region VI Manager Avance, NIA Administrator Guillen, Capiz Provincial Governor Fredenil H. Castro, President Roxas Municipal Mayor Receliste L. Escolin, Mr. Jun Billones (Chief of Staff, Office of Capiz 1^st District Representative), Ciguco IA President Edwin Ocson, and Capiz Police Provincial Chief Jerome Afuyog, Jr. together with the officers of Ciguco IA (2^nd row)

Officials from NIA, LGUs, and Provincial Police (1^st row) together with the officers of BSBC IA (2^nd row)

NIA pushes P2.1-billion irrigation project in Mindanao

March 11, 2023, 2:59 PM

NIA Region XII – The National Irrigation Administration, under the leadership of Acting Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen, fast-tracks the completion of the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project – Stage II (MMIP-II) in the Municipality of Pikit, North Cotabato. Despite numerous challenges on peace and order, security, and natural calamities, the project is expected to be completed by December 2023.

Originally, MMIP was a P3.1-billion irrigation covering 13 barangays in Cotabato and four (4) barangays in Maguindanao with a target area of 10,840 hectares to benefit 4,549 farmer-beneficiaries. The project was intended as a peace-building measure and as a catalyst to improve the lives of the farmers and other stakeholders.

With the completion of the MMIP Phase I, a total of 5,562 hectares in Maridagao service area and 1,611 hectares in Upper Malitubog service area have been provided with irrigation service. With its significant socioeconomic benefits and opportunities through job generation from project implementation stage to agricultural production stage, the project was instrumental in transforming the previously war zone area to an economic zone.

Furthermore, the P5.133-billion MMIP-II which covers an area of 10,541 hectares is envisioned for the completion of the mega project including its missionary purpose of providing livelihood income to MILF combatants and generating peace and order in the Lower Malitubog area. Scheduled for completion in 2018, various challenges slowed down the project implementation for several years.

With the goal to complete this ‘peace project’ in 2022, MMIP-II was reinforced by NIA Region XII, spearheaded by Regional Manager Engr. Diosdado A. Rosales, with the support of the Local Government Units (LGUs), other line agencies, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Administrator Guillen supported the desire to complete the project as he visited MMIP-II project site and personally talked to the residents about the positive impacts and benefits of the project completion.

At present, residents cannot even plant corn because of the area’s susceptibility to flooding. Witnessing first-hand the plight of the people in the area, Administrator Guillen believes that investing more irrigation projects in the area will surely impact the lives of more MILF combatants and families as what happened to MMIP Phase I areas.

In consonance with the 5-Point Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Agenda of the President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. towards healing and reconciliation in the Bangsamoro, the NIA, headed by Administrator Guillen, aims to implement another P2.1-billion worth of irrigation project in the Lower Malitubog area to irrigate about 800 hectares of additional agricultural land. This coincides to the directive to prioritize, intensify, and accelerate the implementation of development initiatives such as irrigation facilities for the improvement of BARMM. With the objective of promoting peace and the spirit of bayanihan, the NIA continues its irrigation development thrust on war zone areas.

Once this project is realized, it will further boost the agricultural productivity in the area that would redound to achieving peace and order and socioeconomic development and ultimately improve the lives of our farmers in this part of Central Mindanao. Indeed, a legacy of peace and economic growth for the nation.

#bayaNIAn

#TuloyAngDaloyNIA

#NIA

For inquiries and/or clarifications, you may contact:

EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA

Department Manager A

NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff

Email: pais@nia.gov.ph

Landline: (02) 8921-3741

NIA Acting Administrator Eddie G. Guillen talks to the farmers of Pikit, North Cotabato about the positive impacts and benefits of the completion of MMIP-II.

NIA Acting Administrator Eddie G. Guillen talks to the residents of Pikit, North Cotabato to solicit their support towards the successful implementation of MMIP-II

An advocate of unity and bayanihan spirit, Administrator Guillen gets a chance to personally talk to a member of MILF with a heart of compassion.

NIA Acting Administrator Eddie G. Guillen together with the family of an MILF member in Pikit, North Cotabato

A WEALTH CREATION EXPERIENCE : ARDOMA, INC

March 11, 2023, 2:56 PM

NIA Central Office - The Association of the Regional Directors and Operations Managers of the Philippines (ARDOMA), Inc. held its conference in Ilocos Norte, Region I on February 23-26, 2023. The four-day activity was commenced by a meeting conducted at the Plaza del Norte Hotel and Convention Center, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. The highlight of the conference was the visit made by the ARDOMA, Inc. led by its President, Engr. Jimmy Apostol, to the Municipality of Piddig, Ilocos Norte. No other than the former chief executive of Piddig, currently, the NIA Acting Administrator, Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen, toured the group and unraveled the humble beginnings of their municipality.

Piddig, Ilocos Norte, a third-class municipality is nestled along a foothill offering panoramic views of fields and mountains. A once sleepy town known too as the historic town of Basi (sugar cane wine) revolt, Piddig was conferred recognition as Galing Pook Awardee at the Malacañang Palace, last November 22, 2022, a prestigious award of the country’s top performing local government units.

With no industry player to stir the economy, the town of Piddig was able to reduce its poverty incidence from 30% in 2010 to 5.59% for 2022. Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen championed several programs anchored on improving the lives of the farmers and aiming for inclusive and sustainable agricultural development. The National Convergence Project resulted to a flood control facility by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), rice processing center, and farm machines and equipment by the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Greening Program for coffee production by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). These all benefitted small holder farmers.

Engr. Guillen established the Revenue Generation and Land Administration (REGALA) System which intends to institutionalize the digital use of technology to identify the needed development of agricultural lands. The said system can be utilized by the Agency, cascading its benefits to the NIA field offices. Engr. Guillen further urges the Institutional Development Officers to help the farmers organize themselves to cooperatives. The cooperative will cater to assist farmers with their produce especially when palay is bought cheaper in the market.

Lauded for his outstanding work and unceasing commitment to improve the quality of life of tobacco growers, the former Mayor, encourage farmers to venture into tobacco farming and subsidize their capital input. Tobaco farmers are now earning P50,000.00 to P70,000.00 per hectare for their tobacco produce. Another breakthrough in agri-business development, the ARDOMA, Inc. were introduced with Piddig Wagyu Cross and Branded Beef Development Program, the program aims to upgrade the native cows in Ilocos Region through artificial insemination of Wagyu semen. Wagyu is the most sought after and luxurious meat in the world.

ARDOMA Inc, were privileged to witness that Piddig stands proud as the only town in the Ilocos Norte with its own radio station, DWCI broadcasting as 105.1 Adjo FM. Registered on Radio Pilipinas Broadcasting, the station is use to report missing people and things. During the pandemic, it was being utilized for distant learning.

Officials and members of the ARDOMA Inc were given the chance to meet and greet the eldest son of the President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the First District Representative of the Province of Ilocos Norte, Hon. Ferdinand Alexander Araneta Marcos III. The latter accentuated the group to give their committed support on the ideals of the NIA Administrator.

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Marcos Manotoc also welcomed the ARDOMA Inc. and acknowledged the dynamic leadership of the NIA Administrator. ARDOMA Inc were encourage to hand their pillar of support to Engr. Eddie Eduado G. Guillen.

Faced with the challenge to impart knowledge gained on their respective offices, the ARDOMA Inc., extended their deepest gratitude to one of their greatest mentor on agricultural development, NIA Acting Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen.

#bayaNIAn

#TuloyAngDaloyNIA
#NIA

For inquiries and/or clarifications, you may contact:

EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA

Department Manager A

NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff

Email: pais@nia.gov.ph

Landline: (02) 8921-3741