May 2019

NIA clarifies issues on...
05/07/2019 - 3:10pm
NIA files formal charge...
05/08/2019 - 1:36pm
Nationwide Essay Writing...
05/08/2019 - 5:55pm

NIA clarifies issues on Chinese workers at Chico River PIP

May 7, 2019, 3:10 PM

 

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) which implements the P4.37-billion Chico River Pump Irrigation Project in Pinukpuk, Kalinga, clarifies that the 66 Chinese workers hired by the Chinese contractor are highly-technical and highly-skilled necessary in the construction of the tunnel and pumping station, which completion is set before the end of this year. Once completed, the services of most of these Chinese workers will be terminated.

Currently, Chico River PIP has 347 Filipino workers, mostly hired from the area. The Chinese workers are part of the project’s manpower that specializes in tunneling and construction of the pumping station with their state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Filipino workers maybe capable enough of doing this, but the collaboration with Chinese workers makes the work faster, thus shortening the construction period.

This clarification is made after the Cordillera People’s Alliance showed a video that there are Chinese workers seen at the project site. This might have led Mike Cabangon of Kilusang Mayo Uno-Cordillera to say that this is a huge insult for the Filipino workers. Mr. Cabangon should have verified his observations before arriving at his conclusion.

Chico River PIP will irrigate elevated rice fields through a pumping station, and not through a diversion dam or a reservoir, contrary to what several opposing groups say that this project will pose danger to residents of the locality. The water from the river will flow through a tunnel system until it reaches the main canals at the elevated rice-fields.

NIA assures that there are no oppositions from the affected communities of the Chico River PIP. Displaced families are supportive of the project and were fairly compensated. The LGUs and other stakeholders are well-informed on the development of the project. 

Chico River PIP has a total service area of 8,700 hectares to be provided with a substantial and timely water supply for irrigation. A total of 4,350 farmer-beneficiaries and their families will benefit from this project. It is projected to provide 14,784 jobs during its project implementation and 8,700 permanent jobs when it becomes operational.

**For questions and/or clarifications, you may contact:

PILIPINA P. BERMUDEZ, CESE
Department Manager A
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
E-mail: vparamio@yahoo.com
Mobile: 0995 251 7847
Landline: 921-3741

NIA files formal charge against two officials for Bugko Dam Project anomalies

May 8, 2019, 1:36 PM

 

Central Office – Recently, Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) filed a formal charge against its two incumbent provincial irrigation management officials after an investigation report found a prima facie case for violating Section 46 of the Revised Administrative Code of 1987 and Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6713 or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.” It is due to their failure to implement the appropriate preventive/corrective measures that contributed to the damages of the diversion dam of the Bugko Irrigation Project on September 12, 2017 at Barangay Mirador, Mondragon, Northern Samar.

The case has been endorsed to the Committee on Discipline for the conduct of formal investigation. Under Rule 8 of the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, a formal investigation shall be conducted where the merits of the case cannot be decided judiciously without conducting such investigation or when the respondent elects to have one.

These two officials are already under preventive suspension to ensure an unobstructed investigation following Rule 7 of the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service that the proper disciplining authority, upon motu propio, may order the preventive suspension of the respondents as a measure of precaution to remove them from the scene of the alleged misfeasance/malfeasance/nonfeasance while the case is being investigated.

In the past few months, some NIA officials were already dismissed for committing various irregularities and criminal liability in project implementation, while some are currently under investigation.

Lately, NIA filed a graft and corruption case against its incumbent and retired regional officials with the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged anomalies in irrigation project implementation. The move aims for the Ombudsman to conduct further investigation and filing of formal criminal charges to the involved officials if warranted.

While keeping an eye on its officials and employees, NIA warns those corrupt local government officials who hinder and attempt to defer its project implementation as violative to the mandate of its office. Also, a NIA employee recently filed a case with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against a former Barangay Captain in Pangasinan for grave threat and grave coercion to NIA officials and employees while in the performance of bidding on government projects. 

The eradication of graft and corruption is foremost in the Four-Point Agenda of NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya. The Agency has been taking immediate action in response to the alleged anomalies/irregularities among its officials and employees nationwide. This includes reforms in governance and immediate conduct of pertinent measures against the vicious cycle of graft and corruption in Philippine government.

NIA remains committed to the mandate of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to “Do what is right and what is legal”. The Agency ensures that transparency is always secured so that the completion of quality irrigation projects would be on time or even ahead of it because delays and defects in project implementation mean injustice to the farmer-beneficiaries.

**For questions and/or clarifications, you may contact:

PILIPINA P. BERMUDEZ, CESE
Department Manager A
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
E-mail: vparamio@yahoo.com
Mobile: 0995 251 7847
Landline: 921-3741