February 2016

NIA Region 12 Celebrates...
04/24/2012 - 2:15pm
Mini-Hydro Power Plants...
04/27/2012 - 7:00am
NIA Into Mini-Hydro Power Plants
NIA Into Mini-Hydro...
08/31/2012 - 1:00pm
Hydropower Plant in Irrigation Systems
Hydropower Plant in...
02/29/2016 - 2:45pm

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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.

NIA Into Mini-Hydro Power Plants

August 31, 2012, 1:00 PM

NIA Administrator Antonio S. Nangel ventured into mini hydro power plants in NIA irrigation canals. This idea prop up to Administrator Nangel’s mind after attending a seminar in Japan on climate change. During the seminar, the participants were brought to Kanazawa prefecture where they were shown mini hydro power plants in irrigation canals. He said that NIA has many irrigation canals of the same nature, and if it can be done in Japan, it could also be done in the Philippines.

From then on, there is no turning back for Administrator Nangel. He created a Technical Working Group to spearhead the program. Inventories of irrigation canals with potential for mini hydro power plants were conducted in all NIA irrigation canals. To date, there are about 110 potential sites nationwide.

This program was brought up to JICA who in turn responded and decided to conduct a Preparatory Survey for Mini-Hydropower Development Project in the Philippines. Meetings between NIA and JICA ensued until a Minutes of Discussion was completed and agreed upon. Hence, on July 31, 2012, NIA and JICA signed the Minutes of Discussion as a signal to proceed with the preliminary survey.

The blueprint for the project is set from 2012 to the first quarter of 2015. But Administrator Nangel requested that the project should be completed by 2014. The project will be on a pilot basis and it will be done in Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) in Isabela. The other project is in Ifugao, which will be owned by the LGU of Ifugao.

The composite team from NIA and JICA is already in Isabela to start with the preliminary survey.

Hydropower Plant in Irrigation Systems

February 29, 2016, 2:45 PM

The National Irrigation Administration and PNOC Renewables Corporation signed the Memorandum of Agreement on November 7, 2012 for the establishment and operations of a hydropower plant in existing irrigation canals in selected sites within the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS). Four (4) sites have already been validated and it was estimated to produce at least 3,000 KW. Two sites are still subject to validation.

The MOA was signed by NIA Administrator Antonio S. Nangel and PNOC Renewables Corporation OIC-President and CEO Roger Victor E. Buendia. Earlier on, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by and between DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla. The MOU expresses support and assistance to the newly formed cooperation between NIA and PNOC RC in the establishment and operations of hydropower plants in existing NIA irrigation canals.

In a short message delivered by Secretary Alcala, he said that the MOA signing is a concrete manifestation of collaboration and maximized utilization of resources by various agencies to give joy to the people especially those in the countryside. Along this line, he instructed NIA Administrator Nangel to identify possible sites in Mindanao and to submit to him the list not later than the end of this month (November). He said that these hydropower plant projects in Mindanao are great help in that area because they have been experiencing intermittent power shortages.
On the part of NIA Administrator Nangel, he initially thank the Secretary for the support in this undertaking. He also informed that his plan do not end with hydropower plants in irrigation canals but also putting up of potable water. He said that there are about 150 sites already validated nationwide for hydropower plants and identification of sites for potable water is ongoing.

DOE Secretary Petilla said that the MOU / MOA signing is very significant in that our country have been looking for sources of electricity, and these projects once completed will provide electricity at a very low cost.

PNOC Renewables Corporation OIC President and CEO Buendia also said that this undertaking is very significant in that it could help in the rural electrification program of the government in collaboration with the NIA.

Incidentally, NIA is an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture while PNOC Renewables Corporation is a subsidiary of PNOC under the Department of Energy.

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