Latest News

Administrator Padernal In...

10/15/2014 - 10:00am

Umayam Irrigation Project...

09/22/2014 - 8:15am

More Farmers to Plant Ric...

09/16/2014 - 1:30pm

NIA Administrator Leads H...

09/16/2014 - 1:15pm

Administrator Padernal Inspects Region 9 Projects, Graces Office Inauguration

Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 10:00

Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur - In line with his aim to review and eventually improve NIA's irrigation project implementation in the country, the newly appointed Administrator made his first visit in region 9 on October 7 & 8, 2014. Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, DPA was set to inspect major projects in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga del Norte during his two-day visit. He was accompanied by Department Manager for Public Affairs and Information Staff, Pilipina P. Bermudez.

Project Inspections

Engr. Padernal started his project inspection by visiting proposed irrigation projects with flood-control needs. First was in Salug River Irrigation System (SARIS) in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur where he was briefed on the effect of climate change particularly on the flooding of its service area affecting 1,450 hectares out of its 7,809-ha service area. The same issues of flooding that affects irrigation and the need of drainage facilities were presented to him in his visit to Sibuguey Valley Irrigation System (SVIS) in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay, Dipolo River Irrigation System (DRIS) in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, and Titay Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (Titay SRIP).

Read more about Administrator Padernal Inspects Region 9 Projects, Graces Office Inauguration

Umayam Irrigation Project Visited

Monday, September 22, 2014 - 08:15

NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal taking time out from his busy schedule in Central Office visited the Umayam River Irrigation Project (URIP) in NIA Caraga Region.

URIP covers the municipalities of La Paz and Loreto, Agusan del Sur and was designed to provide sustainable development, increase agricultural production, uplift farmers' living condition, generate employment and encourage local business opportunities in the area. It aims to generate 6,729 hectares with 2,125 farmer beneficiaries.

The project implementation started in CY2012 and targeted for completion in CY2015. It was undertaken by contract and force account works, with the total project cost of Php1, 474,072,000. The Administrator visited the site with Regional Manager Encarnacion S. Soriano, EOD Manager Engr. Constancio G. Bana-ay, Jr., Engr. Gregorio Y. Pang, Jr., URIP Project Manager, and contractor representatives, and discussed the quality and standards of the construction.

Prior to the site inspection, URIP team presented the physical accomplishments of the project showing positive slippage for all packages. With the technical expertise of the Administrator, he shared the possible innovations/strategies to fast track the implementation, such as the installation of pre-cast structures.

These actions assure the URIP beneficiaries that NIA is determined to implement its projects and irrigate the farmland with the given date of completion. (Jane B. Huqueriza)

Read more about Umayam Irrigation Project Visited

More Farmers to Plant Rice in Isabela, Thanks to New Irrigation Structure

Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - 13:30

Corn farmers in four barangays in San Isidro, Isabela can now shift to rice farming as the Patanad Diversion Dam and Patanad Pumping Station start to operate after years of waiting. This will eventually contribute in the National Irrigation Agency (NIA)'s efforts in increasing rice production in the country.

The Patanad Diversion Dam, which was inaugurated on April 23, 2014, reuses water from Quitabayag Creek that traverses Barangay Patanad to irrigate 200 hectares of farmland that were previously used mostly for corn. The construction of the diversion dam sparked hope among corn farmers who wanted to shift to rice and to those with farmlands in elevated areas.

Patanad Diversion Dam in Barangay Patanad, San Isidro, Isabela. The diversion dam reuses water from Quitabayag Creek that traverses Barangay Patanad to irrigate 200 hectares of farmland.

Read more about More Farmers to Plant Rice in Isabela, Thanks to New Irrigation Structure

NIA Administrator Leads Harvest Festival in MARIIS, Hails Increase in Farmers Income

Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - 13:15

Roxas, Isabela - Despite the water supply challenge during the start of this cropping season, farmers in the NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) are now reaping their golden harvest.

The Administrator strikes a pose at one of the display booths at the side of the Roxas Astrodome during the Rice Harvest Festival on September 12, 2014. (left to right) MARIIS-Division III Manager William B. Oppuer, NIA-Public Affairs and Information Staff Manager Pilipina P. Bermudez, MARIIS Administrative and Finance Manager Editha Valledor Daguio Morales, Roxas Mayor Benedict C. Calderon, and MARIIS Operations Manager Mariano G. Dancel.

Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, together with MARIIS Operations Manager Mariano G. Dancel and Isabela Governor Faustino "Bojie" G. Dy, led the ceremonial harvest on a rice farm under the North East Siffu Council of Irrigators Association here on September 12, 2014.

About 117,000 metric tons of palay have been harvested from 23,000 hectares of rice lands in the System. Engr. Dancel proudly shared that MARIIS is the first to harvest palay for this cropping season.