March 2016

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
NIA, SN Aboitiz to Optimize MARIS Reservoir
NIA, SN Aboitiz to...
11/11/2014 - 9:15am
NIA Switches on Jica-Funded Mini-Hydro Power Plant in Isabela
NIA Switches on Jica-...
11/11/2014 - 9:15am

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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.

NIA, SN Aboitiz to Optimize MARIS Reservoir

November 11, 2014, 9:15 AM

Ramon, Isabela - "We have to be thankful for a project that helps a lot in increasing the income of farmers which is our ultimate objective," said National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Florencio Padernal during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Magat River Irrigation System (MARIS) dam optimization project here on November 4, 2014. The project is in collaboration with the SN Aboitiz Power-Magat Inc. (SNAP-Magat).

The MARIS reservoir is located in the downstream portion of the Magat Dam, one of the largest multipurpose dams in Asia, and is part of the NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS).

The initiative is seen to increase the storage capacity of the MARIS reservoir by up to eight million cubic meters that will primarily improve the delivery of irrigation water to a larger area of farm lands. NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS) Operations Manager Mariano G. Dancel shared that with the optimization project, irrigating the whole service area of 85,000 hectares would be possible.

NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal said the project is a clear manifestation of a real, effective, efficient private-public partnership. "Increasing storage water capacity of the MARIS reservoir is laudable as it denotes water security for peaking hours and saves water in cases of abnormal weather condition or in times of crisis as well as increased power generation," he added.

SNAP-Magat Executive Director Danny de Guzman, on the other hand, noted that the project is an example of collective work between NIA and SNAP. "These collaborative projects are underpinned by not only technical expertise between NIA and SNAP but also the strength of the partnership that we've forged over the past seven years," he added.

The project will also provide flexibility for power generation. This could potentially add up 7.75 megawatts of additional capacity for the Luzon grid.

The project is seen to start January next year and is expected to be completed in 2016.

(L-R) MARIIS Operations Manager Mariano G. Dancel, Ifugao Governor Dennis Habawel, NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, Ramon Mayor Wilfredo L. Tabag, and Danilo de Guzman, SN Aboitiz Power Executive Director during the ceremonial ground breaking at the project site. Behind them are SNAP executives and Danilo Tumamao, representative of the Governor of Isabela.

NIA Switches on Jica-Funded Mini-Hydro Power Plant in Isabela

November 11, 2014, 9:15 AM

SAN MATEO, Isabela - The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led the switching-on ceremony of the 45-kilowatt mini-hydro power plant along an irrigation canal here on November 4, 2014.

NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal (2nd from L) and MARIIS Operations Manager Mariano G. Dancel (1st from R) accompany DOE Undersecretary Zenaida Y. Monsada (3rd from L) and JICA Senior Representative of the Economic Growth Sector Eigo Azukizawa (2nd from R) in opening the gates of the new 45KW JICA-funded mini-hydro power facility along Lateral B of the MARIS Main Canal in San Mateo Isabela. With them is DOE Director Mario C. Marasigan.

Funded by JICA, the hydro-power facility is constructed along Lateral, District 2 of the NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) here. The newly inaugurated facility can benefit 45 households with an individual consumption of 1000 watts.

Funded by JICA, the hydro-power facility is constructed along Lateral, District 2 of the NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) here. The newly inaugurated facility can benefit 45 households with an individual consumption of 1000 watts.

NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, Department of Energy Undersecretary Zenaida Y. Monsada, and JICA Senior Representative of the Economic Growth Section Eigo Azukizawa led the switching-on ceremony of the demonstration project which started construction in March and was completed in October this year.

Padernal said that although the new mini-hydropower is not as big as what others expect, the significance of the project is enormous. "NIA would like to replicate such projects in other areas. That is one of the reasons why all our irrigation managers from the different regions are here," he said.

The NIA Administrator said that secondary to irrigation, the agency operates and implements hydropower projects in applicable areas. "In fact, we are planning to bid out over 50 new hydro power projects of various capacities around the Philippines the soonest possible time," he shared.

Undersecretary Monsada said the residents in the community where the facility is located will now have better access to energy.

The first of its kind in the country, the project shows that it is viable to utilize existing irrigation canals even with small water heads for power generation.

The NIA-MARIIS, through its Division II office, will be operating and maintaining the new facility.
 

 

NIA Administrator Florencio Padernal, DOE Undersecretary Zenaida Monsada, and JICA Representative Eigo Azukizawa during the switching-on of the 45kw mini-hydropower facility in San Mateo, Isabela. The event was witnessed by all the NIA regional irrigation managers (in green hard hats).

 

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