March 2016

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
Pangilinan Campaigns to Improve Lives of Farmers, Padernal Rallies Support of Employees
Pangilinan Campaigns to...
10/15/2014 - 10:15am
NIA, Nueva Ecija LGU Host Water Summit, Lay Down Battle Plan Against El NIñO
NIA, Nueva Ecija LGU...
10/21/2014 - 10:15am

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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.

Pangilinan Campaigns to Improve Lives of Farmers, Padernal Rallies Support of Employees

October 15, 2014, 10:15 AM

NIA Tacloban, Leyte - "I am happy to be talking to you but you should be part of the system. Tulong, tulong tayo." This is what Administrator Florencio F. Padernal emphasized in his message when he met the employees of NIA Region 8 during his visit in the regional office on October 9, 2014. He was welcomed by officials and personnel of the regional office and IMOs headed by Regional Manager Romeo G. Quiza.

As part of the 2-day visit, Engr. Padernal first held a dialogue with the NIA employees to discuss his management thrusts. He pointed out that he wanted to engender change in the agency through professionalization in order to gain respectability. He also stressed on the need to fast-track the implementation of projects, especially the carry-over projects, until December 2014.

The Administrator also mentioned about the creation of his 10-year master plan that will serve as the agency's roadmap in addressing issues regarding irrigation service delivery and political interventions.

"I am a performer, I produce," he further stated, aiming to motivate the Region 8 NIAns in doing their part efficiently.

Just like his visits in other regions, Engr. Padernal immediately proceeded with his project site inspection together with NIA-8 Regional Manager Romeo G. Quiza. Their team visited Sta. Rita Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (Sta. Rita SRIP) in Western Samar where he expressed his satisfaction with the physical accomplishment of the project but also encouraged fast-tracking to complete it before 2017. The team then visited Binahaan River Irrigation System (BRIS) back in Tacloban to check on the Bangon 3 Retention Pool that started operating during the 1st Cropping Season of 2014.

PAFSAM attends IA Presidents Forum

The second day of Padernal's field visit was highlighted by the arrival of Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (PAFSAM) Secretary Francis N. Pangilinan as they both attended the IA Presidents Forum at the Patio Victoria, San Jose, Tacloban. Also with them was Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto.

In his message to the employees, Pangilinan underlined the importance of farmers to NIA. "It is because of the farmers that is why NIA exists, so we have to give our best effort to improve their lives," he said. "Kung mahal mo ang trabaho mo, mamahalin mo rin ang mga magsasaka," he added.

It was also the message Pangilinan enunciated during the forum where he and Padernal handed out awards to the CY 2013 Most Outstanding Irrigators Associations, namely: Matando IA of Hindang-Hilongos RIS (NIS Category) and Hingatungan IA, Inc., Silago, Southern Leyte (CIS Category).

Pangilinan further emphasized the importance of farmers in his message. "We should move away from subsistence farming to a sustainable, viable farming. Irrigation is critical, without irrigation we cannot accomplish food security and IAs play a crucial role and we will give support to improve the quality of life of our clients," he said.

 

 


"Tulong, tulong tayo." This is NIA Administrator's call to the employees of NIA Region 8 during his visit on October 9, 2014.
PAFSAM Secretary Francis N. Pangilinan is warmly welcomed by the NIA Region 8 personnel as he arrived at the NIA Tacloban Office on October 10, 2014 to attend the Irrigators Association (IA) Presidents' Forum.

 

 

(From L-R) NIA Region 8 Manager Romeo G. Quiza, PAFSAM Secretary Francis N. Pangilinan, Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, and Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto at the dais during the IA Presidents Forum on October 10, 2014 at the Patio Victoria, San Jose, Tacloban City, Leyte.

NIA, Nueva Ecija LGU Host Water Summit, Lay Down Battle Plan Against El NIñO

October 21, 2014, 10:15 AM

Palayan City, Nueva Ecija - The National Irrigation Administration led by Administrator Florencio F. Padernal and the provincial government of Nueva Ecija headed by Governor Aurelio M. Umali hosted this year's Nueva Ecija Water Summit on October 15, 2014 at the Nueva Ecija Convention Center, this city. The activity primarily aimed to present the current water situation in the coverage area of Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS) - headed by Engr. Reynaldo D. Puno - to base the formulation of measures that would help to mitigate the negative effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

El Niño

PAG-ASA forecasted that the climate phenomenon, which occurs across the tropical Pacific Ocean, will peak during the last quarter of 2014 until beginning of second quarter of 2015. This particular climate pattern is mostly associated with lack of rainfall occurrence, drought, and abnormal weather conditions. Countries that are dependent on agriculture and fisheries like the Philippines are said to be the most affected by El Niño. Due to this event, rice and food production will likely to suffer.

Affected Area

Currently, Pantabangan Dam had been suffering the initial effects of the phenomenon. Due to the lack of rainfall occurrence, particularly in Luzon, the water elevation of the reservoir as of July 2014 is only at 182 meters. Based on the average and maximum inflows, the projected water level on November 30 is 194.22 meters (average inflow) or 209.53 (maximum inflow) which is still below the Operation Rule Curve of 212.15 meters.

In connection to this, it is forecasted that only 70% or 80,842 hectares out of UPRIIS's total irrigable area of 114,490 hectares can be programmed for irrigation for the Dry Cropping Season 2015 that will affect 27,332 farmers.

Convergence

Also one of the main purposes of the water summit is to convene the stakeholders involved in rice and food production in the province. It became the venue for all the participants to share trends and practices in relation to increasing agricultural productivity amidst the El Niño phenomenon. Aside from Padernal, Umali, and Puno, present during the summit were: DOST-PAGASA Administrator Dr. Vicente B. Malano; Department of Agriculture Asst. Regional Director Cris Bautista; and Representative of the OPAFSAM Ferdinand Hombrebueno. Also present were representatives from other private and government agencies, LGUs, and officials and members of Irrigators Associations (IAs).

Attendees of the 2014 Nueva Ecija Water Summit hosted by NIA-UPRIIS on October 15, 2014 at the Nueva Ecija Convention Center, Palayan City.

NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal and UPRIIS Operations Manager Reynaldo D. Puno assured the participants of the Water Summit that NIA is well-prepared for El Niño.

Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio M. Umali said he will allot funds to improve water flow of Peñaranda River hence improving irrigation especially during the peak of El Niño.

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