August 2016

Study Tour

08/10/2016 - 9:17am

'Highly transparent...

08/16/2016 - 10:00am

FFP leads 3Q Managers...

08/16/2016 - 10:15am

Zarraga Mayor Thankful...

08/23/2016 - 2:17pm

Study Tour

August 10, 2016, 9:17 AM

Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) Study Tour

Officer-In-Charge, Office of the Administrator and concurrent Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Estrella E. Icasiano and Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Erdolfo B. Domingo warmly welcomed the delegation of eight (8) officials of Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC), Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture. The delegation led by Deputy Chief Engineer Md. Ziaul Hoque paid a courtesy call to NIA officials during their study visit in NIA last July 22-27, 2016 on modern irrigation systems development in the Philippines. The delegation accompanied by the designated Study Tour Coordinator, Mr. Ricardo C. Lopez of NIA-IDD, visited the UPRIIS Head Office, Pantabangan Dam and Reservoir, MTG PLIVIRISCAF IA, and UPRIIS-Division V Service Area. They interacted with NIA Field Officials and IA Officers after a short briefing about NIA’s mandate, project planning and development, construction implementation and management, operation and maintenance, organization and development of IAs, and Irrigation Management Transfer.

Department of Irrigation (DOI) - Nepal Study Tour

On August 1, 2016, Officer-In-Charge, Office of the Administrator and concurrent Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Estrella E. Icasiano and other NIA representatives gladly received the nineteen (19) officials from the Department of Irrigation (DOI) of Nepal led by Deputy Director General Sarita Dawadi and Regional Director Kishna Prasad Nepal. The Nepalese officials conducted a study visit to NIA. IDD Manager Bayani P. Ofrecio spearheaded the discussions/interaction on NIA’s Participatory Irrigation Management to kick-off the study tour from August 1-2, 2016. The delegation visited the Head Office of UPRIIS, MTG PLIVIRISCAF IA and UPRIIS-Division V Service Area with Ms. Rebecca Andong, Mr. Reynaldo A. Calabdan, and Mr. Randy A. Andong who served as their freelance study tour facilitators.

'Highly transparent,' Aklan solon lauds NIA 6 dam work procurement

August 16, 2016, 10:00 AM

Procurement process for the construction of the River Irrigation System (RIS) Diversion Dam in the Province of Aklan received high praises from Congressman Lito Marquez.

Saying efforts were "highly transparent," the solon gave credit to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Regional Office 6.

With P181 Million allotted for the project, Congressman Marquez took note of the benefits that has since been sought by the farmers and irrigator associations throughout Aklan.

"We highly commend your esteemed office in the manner of your procurement process which is highly transparent in giving equal opportunity for the five (5) bidders to participate, thus, saving several millions of pesos for the government," the Congressman wrote NIA 6 Regional Manager Gerardo Corsiga. "At least 9,900 farmers in the six towns of the province of Aklan will be elated to benefit from this proposed Aklan River Irrigation Improvement System."

To note, the project entails construction of two dam sites in the towns of Malinao and Banga aimed at providing irrigation to 4,269 hectares of agricultural lands. Further still, the project will ensure year-round irrigation water from Aklan River for 2,288.50 hectares in the towns of Banga, New Washington and Kalibo. Also directly benefitting is some 1,675 hectares for the towns of Lezo, Makato and Numancia.

"We strongly support the intent of NIA to provide adequate water supply from Aklan River for irrigation in Western and Eastern towns to boost the rice production of farmers from 78 cavans per hectare to 90 cavans for dry season," Marquez added. "This in view with the aspiration of President Rodrigo Duterte to make the country self-sufficient in rice production within one to two years."

Marquez has since worked on strengthening government programs and delivery of government services saying his priority is to change "miserable conditions of the peasantry."

"Genuine agrarian reform must, thus, be the priority program like this project in Aklan coupled with sufficient and sustainable agriculture support services. And then we can be sure that we can contribute in attaining rice self-sufficiency and food security program in the country," Congressman Marquez stressed.
By: Steve Cordero, PRO - C

FFP leads 3Q Managers' Conference

August 16, 2016, 10:15 AM

NIA Central Office, Quezon City – Regional, IMO, Department, and Division managers from all NIA regional offices convene again for the 2016 3^rd Quarter NIA Managers’ Conference. The event was held at Convention Hall, 5^th Floor IEC Bldg, NIA Quezon City from August 9-10, 2016.

NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal warmly welcomes all the participants as he is hopeful that the meeting will again address problems that will be presented. “Ito naman yung dahilan kung bakit tayo regularly nagkikita to discuss and solve problems na nakaka apekto sa ating trabaho at sa ahensiya” he added

Dr. Padernal also told that the result of the meeting will be the basis to establish baseline information and to know where the agency is currently standing.

The 2-day conference focuses on different agenda including current issues and concerns that the agency specifically the regional offices are going through. These include status of project, fund utilization, irrigation service fee collection, force account works, feasibility and detailed engineering funds, and proposals for new projects.

Region 2, Region 8, Negros Island Region, NIA IMO Compostella Valley, URIIP, and MARIIS had the opportunity to present their progress report on different projects within their area. NIA MARIIS Operations Manager Engr. Wilfredo Gloria discussed that their immediate concern is the water elevation in Magat Dam which he said is currently on critical level. “We are now coordinating with BSWM and DA for cloud seeding operations within the area to address the problem” he added.

The group headed by NIA Deputy Administrator for Admin and Finance Ms. Estrella E. Icasiano and Engineering Department Manager and OIC, Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Engr. Lydia Esguerra gladly responded to the questions raised by the participants. Most of the concerns center on SARO and NCA releases, and Fund 101 and 105. The GCG Commitments were thoroughly discuss by PAIS Department Manager and concurrent head of NIA-TWG for GCG Ms. Pilipina P. Bermudez.

The agenda also include CY 2017 project preparation, climate change resilient irrigation facilities, periodic dam monitoring, preparations for La Niña, purchasing of maintenance equipment in dams, right of way acquisition, training programs, land conversion, and international network. The participants were also divided into small groups to discuss further the presented concerns.

At the end of the conference, Dr. Padernal encourages all by telling “we can do a lot of things when we put our hearts in what we are doing” he simply told everyone that we must give our best to serve our Filipino farmers and the country.

Zarraga Mayor Thankful for Creek Improvement Project

August 23, 2016, 2:17 PM

Zarraga town mayor John Tarrosa (left) and NIA 6 regional manager Gerardo P. Corsiga (right) discuss collaborative efforts for the improvement of the Sigangao creek. (Photo by Steve Cordero, PRO-C)

NIA Iloilo – The creek improvement project of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) here received credit for being beneficial to its stakeholders. No less than Mayor John Tarrosa of Zarraga praised and thanked NIA for improving Sigangao Creek in his municipality.

Parallel to the town’s vision of “Clean, Safe and Green”, the project according to the mayor will support agriculture, flood mitigation, and environmental protection initiatives of Zarraga.

Sigangao creek is one of the outfalls of the Jalaur River that flows from central portion of Panay. During heavy rain, the creek floods neighbouring communities leaving behind huge losses in agriculture and properties. With this, Zarraga is considered one of the most flooded towns of Iloilo.

“Ang project ng NIA really served its purpose. . . it did not only contribute to flood mitigation but at the same time ang farmers namin may water na during dry season (NIA’s project served its purpose. . .not only that that it contributed to flood mitigation but it will provide water for our farmers during dry season),” said Tarossa.

Also, the project according to Tarrosa will promote collaboration among national government agencies, the Local Government Unit, Civil Society Organizations and the academe for environmental protection. The project site will be turned into an eco-tourism site. Trees that were cut down to give way for the project will be replaced. The LGU in cooperation with NIA, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Solutions Ecosystems Activator of Zarraga, and the residents themselves will work together to restore and improve habitat in the creek.

On June 16, 2016, NIA convened said stakeholders to form an inter-sectoral Technical Working Group to oversee the project. Included in the TWG are design engineers and institutional development workers of NIA, the engineers of Zarraga, DENR, Department of Public Works and Highways, representative from CSO, and the academe.

NIA Regional Manager Gerardo P. Corsiga explained that the same TWG will also be formed for other NIA projects in the region to ensure their holistic implementation.

The creek improvement in Sigangao is part of NIA’s 46-million drainage improvement program in the province. Lampaya creek in Calinog town and Bolilao creek in Dumangas town were also improved and rehabilitated under the program.