March 2016

NIA Administrator Leads Harvest Festival in MARIIS, Hails Increase in Farmers Income
NIA Administrator Leads...
09/16/2014 - 1:15pm
More Farmers to Plant Rice in Isabela, Thanks to New Irrigation Structure
More Farmers to Plant...
09/16/2014 - 1:30pm
Umayam Irrigation Project Visited
Umayam Irrigation...
09/22/2014 - 8:15am
Administrator Padernal Inspects Region 9 Projects, Graces Office Inauguration
Administrator Padernal...
10/15/2014 - 10:00am

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

September 16, 2014, 1:15 PM

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.

Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, MARIIS Operations Manager Mariano G. Dancel, and Isabela Governor Faustino "Bojie" G. Dy III ride a combined harvester-thresher, leading the rice harvest festival in Roxas, Isabela on September 12, 2014.

"Water supply was low from April to May but we pushed for early water delivery and now farmers are getting higher prices for their produce," he said.

He said that in 2012, MARIIS farmers reported an average income of P36,000 per hectare but for this year the reported average income has increased to P67,000.

Administrator Florencio F. Padernal congratulated the MARIIS farmers for a very good harvest. "But we have to look forward to the next harvest which would be better," he challenged.

He said the National Irrigation Administration will always support the MARIIS farmers and provide them with efficient irrigation service. "In turn, this would result to improved income for the irrigators groups and farmers," the Administrator said.

The Administrator receives a Certificate of Appreciation from the Presidents of the Federations of Irrigators Associations in MARIIS (from left to right) Raymundo F. Prieto (FIAD II), Antonio A. Cruz (FIAD I representative), Nemesio F. Yadao (FIAD IV, CIAM), and Alejandrino S. Pascua (FIAD III).

Administrator Florencio F. Padernal interacts with farmers displaying their produce at the "bagsakan" set up at the side of the Roxas Astodome, shortly after he led the ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the place.


At a rice farm under the North East Siffu Council of Irrigators Association the Administrator with the PAIS manager, MARIIS personnel, and local chief executives headed by Isabela Governor Faustino "Bojie" G. Dy III.
The Administrator with Isabela Governor Dy.

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

September 16, 2014, 1:30 PM

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.

Part of the project is the construction of the Patanad Pumping Station, which was opened on June 26, 2014, that would irrigate about 250 hectares in four barangays namely Patanad, Camarag, Gomez, and Doña Paulina. It started irrigating 115 hectares of rice land for wet crop 2014 and the rest of the benefitted area will be irrigated on the next cropping season once lands have been converted from corn to rice farming. Prior to the pump system, farmers have been using their own diesel-powered pumps.

Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) Operations Manager Engr. Mariano G. Dancel said that the presence of the project signals the beginning of a more progressive agricultural economy in the municipality. As of December 2013, MARIIS had been irrigating 60% of agricultural lands in the municipality and the construction of the project will surely increase irrigated areas.

Farmer-beneficiaries, as well as local government officials, expressed their gratitude to NIA because of the positive impact of the project to the municipality. San Isidro Mayor Rey Socrates L. Velasco said the project will surely improve the lives of farmers who have long been waiting for irrigation. Barangay Patanad chief Virgilio Castillo on the other hand said that the construction of the diversion dam was the happiest event held in their barangay and that it will truly change their lives.

Engr. Dancel, speaking on behalf of NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, said that farmers could count on the agency to look for more lands to irrigate as it is NIA's mandate and to provide farmers with improved irrigation service. - with reports from Melissa C. Agbisit, NIA-MARIIS PRO.

Patanad Pumping Station in Barangay Doña Paulina, San Isidro, Isabela The pump system irrigation draws water from the diversion dam that will provide irrigation water to 250 hectares of farmlands in Barangays Patanad, Camarag, Gomez, and Doña Paulina.

Umayam Irrigation Project Visited

September 22, 2014, 8:15 AM

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)
 

Administrator Florencio F. Padernal (4th from right) with Engr. Gregorio Y. Pang, Jr., URIP Project Manager (3rd from right), Acting Regional Manager Encarnacion S. Soriano (2nd from left), Engr. Constancio G. Bana-ay, Jr.(3rd from left), Engr. Ferdinand D. Amon (4th from left), and URIP & ADS IMO staff at URIP PMO, Agusan del Sur.

Administrator Padernal checking the standard and quality of on-going construction

Administrator Padernal with NIA Caraga Officials and Staff together with URIP Team and Contractor representatives at Dam site

Administrator Padernal Inspects Region 9 Projects, Graces Office Inauguration

October 15, 2014, 10:00 AM

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).

The flood-control components of the projects - which are scheduled for Feasibility Study and Detailed Engineering in 2015 - are covered by the convergence program of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) led by Secretary Rogelio L. Singson. The convergence program was initiated as a holistic approach to solve problems confronting irrigation and flood control that affect productivity in irrigated areas.

The Administrator also visited two major on-going projects in Zamboanga del Norte namely: Lagag SIP, a new irrigation project located in Lagag, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte with a service area of 120 hectares with 85 farmer-beneficiaries; and, 92%-completed Sindangan CIS located in Brgy. Labakid, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte covering a service area of 425 hectares with 450 famer-beneficiaries which is set to be finished in the later part of the year.

Acknowledging IAs and Employees

As important part of his field visit, he also met with NIA employees and Irrigators Association (IA) presidents to personally present his strategic directions to achieve the agency's goals. He highlighted his vision for a holistic development of the agency, employing a multi-disciplinary approach to project implementation and management.

He highlighted the importance of a strengthened partnership between the farmers through the IAs and NIA. He also encouraged young professionals to beef-up their knowledge and skills to become future leaders of NIA.

NIA Region 9 Manager Engr. Diosdado R. Rosales assured ENgr. Padernal that the region together with the farmers is performing and helping the administration achieve its goals.

LGU Partnerships

Engr. Padernal also met with LGU officials in the region to discuss how they can pull their resources together to solve the irrigation needs of the region as well as the perennial flooding in Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte. He first met with District II Congresswoman Ann K. Hofer of Zamboanga Sibugay to discuss irrigation plans in the province. He also met Governor Tony Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur and Congresswoman Aurora Cerilles upon return to Pagadian City. Administrator Padernal also met the Congressman of the 2nd District of Zamboanga del Norte, Hon. Rosendo S. Labadlbad, before returning to Manila.

'Light at the end of the tunnel'

In his message during the inauguration of the newly-completed NIA IX office and training center, Administrator Padernal summoned cooperation among employees, managers, and farmers alike to help him in solving the problems of the agency. He appealed to everyone to do their share in fast-tracking implementation of projects programmed in 2015 more so the carryover projects of the past years. He also intends to conduct workshops and fora among farmer stakeholders of NIA as one of the preparations of his 10-year master plan for irrigation. Padernal, who is now on his third month in office, assured the region that good things are coming to NIA. His introduction to new strategies in the entire project implementation and other organizational reforms being done now were just few of the tenets of his administration.

"Friends, I tell you, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Lalago po ang NIA," he said.

Administrator Florencio F. Padernal (center), together with (From L-R) PAIS Department Manager Pilipina P. Bermudez, DA Asst. Technical Director Dennis Palabrica, and Regional Irrigation Manager Diosdado A. Rosales, cuts the ribbon in the opening of the new Regional Office and Training Center in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

Regional Manager Diosdado A. Rosales (L) explains to Administrator Padernal the plan details of the Titay SRIP project in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay with Zamboanga Sibugay IMO Head Engr. Carlos A. Sabado (R).

Administrator Padernal dialogues with the Irrigators Association (IA) presidents of Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay.

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