February 2016

P260M for Antique
03/21/2012 - 5:00pm
President Aquino...
03/23/2012 - 4:00pm
NIA Region 12 Celebrates...
04/24/2012 - 2:15pm
Mini-Hydro Power Plants...
04/27/2012 - 7:00am

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P260M for Antique

March 21, 2012, 5:00 PM

The Department of Agriculture thru the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has earmarked P260 M for the construction, rehabilitation and restoration of sixty (60) communal irrigation systems in the Province of Antique. These projects are under the Irrigated Rice Production Enhancement Project (IRPEP) funded by the International Fund Agricultural Development (IFAD).

IRPEP is a tripartite irrigation development program of the Department of Agriculture thru NIA, Local Government Units and the Irrigators Association. As a tripartite program, each participating entity shares in the cost, DA-NIA with 70% equivalent to P182 M, LGU with 20% equivalent to P52 M and IA with 10% equivalent to P26 M.

The Project aims to restore about 2.282 ha and rehabilitate about 1,589 ha that would bring normal irrigation to 6,165 ha benefiting 7,368 farmers in the Province of Antique.

President Aquino Approves Big Irrigation Projects

March 23, 2012, 4:00 PM

President Benigno Aquino III approves four big irrigation projects that would boost irrigation development of the country. These projects are Casecnan II in Nueva Ecija, Jalaur II in Iloilo, Umayam in Agusan del Sur and the National Irrigation Systems Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (NISRIP) - a nationwide project. The four irrigation projects have a combined total cost of about P23,833.90 M, of which P19,012.34 M is loan while P4,821.56 M is GOP counterpart. The project will generate new area of 36,550 ha and will rehabilitate 98,010 ha benefiting 98,615 farmers.

NIA Administrator Antonio S. Nangel is very happy about the development because it would mean dependable irrigated area that would contribute to the rice self-sufficiency program of the government. "The approval of these projects is very significant because we are on the right direction towards attaining our goal of generating more irrigated areas needed for our rice self-sufficiency program", Nangel said. "President Aquino is really bent on making the country rice self-sufficient as part of his program to alleviate poverty", Nangel added.

NIA Region 12 Celebrates 34th Anniversary

April 24, 2012, 2:15 PM

NIA Administrator Antonio S. Nangel was the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the 34th Founding Anniversary of NIA Region 12. In his message, he congratulated the regional office for their exemplary performance and encouraged the NIA employees and Irrigators Association alike to continue with their seal of excellence in providing service to its clientele.

The only regional office to celebrate its founding anniversary, NIA Regional Office No. 12 celebrated its 34th founding anniversary on April 19, 2012. The five provinces comprising NIA Region 12, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Saranggani took turns in hosting each day’s activities. It is a three-day festivities culminating with awarding of the best among the best in the region – Outstanding NIA and Irrigators Associations.

Leading this year’s major awardees are: Engr. C’zar M. Sulaik from Cotabato as the Most Outstanding Irrigation Management Office Manager; Engr. Gina L. Lozano from Saranggani as Most Outstanding O&M Chief; Bulacanon IA from Cotabato as the Most Outstanding Irrigators Association – CIS category; and Napal-Conel Road IA from General Santos City as the Most Outstanding IA – NIS category.

Other outstanding awardees are Engrs. Edna C. Bantala, Flora May D. Respicio, Rory F. Avance, Orlando A. Tibang, Julio L. Antenor, Cesar D. Agduma and Mary Grace S. Gonzales.

Also recognized are Irrigators Associations that have paid their due to NIA and collected from 90 to 100% Irrigation Service Fees. There are 58 IA under the Club 100 Award, 3 IA under Silver Award and 9 IA under Golden Star Award. Special award was given to Buluan-Pigcawayan IA for attaining the highest rating in IA Functionality Survey. Incidentally, Buluan-Pigcawayan IA is a Hall of Fame Awardee for having been awarded the Most Outstanding IA for three consecutive years in a search conducted by the NIA nationwide.

Mini-Hydro Power Plants in Irrigation Systems

April 27, 2012, 7:00 AM

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has identified 32 possible sites for mini-hydro power plants in NIA managed irrigation systems, 26 in Luzon, 2 in Visayas and 4 in Mindanao. These sites will have a total capacity of 15,214 KW.

The idea of putting up mini-hydro power plants in irrigation systems came up after NIA Administrator Antonio S. Nangel visited Japan, where he saw mini-hydro power plants installed in irrigation canals. He said that while it can be done in Japan, it can also be done in the Philippines where the same elevation of irrigation canals abounds. Upon his arrival, Administrator Nangel issued Memorandum Circular No. 55 S 2011, to all Regional/Operations Managers of NIA to identify possible sites for mini-hydro power plants in irrigation canals/systems, providing therein guidelines/criteria.

Administrator Nangel said that the project would require installation of turbine engine in irrigation canals to turn it into a mini hydro-power plant. "Our irrigation systems are mostly located in far-flung barangays and putting up this project is a great help to the prospective beneficiaries", he added.

Administrator Nangel is very optimistic that this project will take-off because 12 firms have submitted Letter of Intent (LOI), and targeted sites for development is 22. There are 2 Memorandum of Agreements already signed for the project. The mini-hydro power plant would serve both energy generation that would help ease the problem on power crisis and irrigation. The mini hydro will not affect irrigation requirements as the water will just pass thru the irrigation canal.

Cited as legal basis for this projects are RA 9513 – "Renewable Energy Act of 2008" and RA 7156 – "Mini-hydroelectric Power Incentives Act". NIA issued Memorandum Circular No. 55 S 2011 that defines the guidelines on Mini Hydro-power Plants in NIA irrigation canals/systems.

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