March 2022

P9.18-MILLION SOLAR-...

1 Mar 2022 - 11:03am

NIA eyes more investment...

1 Mar 2022 - 1:10pm

NIA acquires 345 units...

10 Mar 2022 - 12:01pm

Irrigation water...

10 Mar 2022 - 1:47pm

P9.18-MILLION SOLAR-POWERED PUMP IRRIGATION PROJECT TO BENEFIT NOVO ECIJANO FARMERS

March 1, 2022, 11:03 AM

NIA UPRIIS – A total of 34 farmers in Barangay Villa Rosario, Talugtug, Nueva Ecija will benefit from the recently inaugurated and turned over P9.18-million Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on February 24, 2022.

The construction of the Villa Rosario, Talugtug Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project, whose main water source comes from Pantabangan Dam through Super Diversion Canal, started on March 24, 2021, and was completed on August 18, 2021 (150-calendar day construction period). Already operational since the last cropping season, it is providing timely and reliable irrigation service to 50-hectares of agricultural land, benefiting 34 farmer-members of CASSAMFVRROST Irrigators Association (IA). The project features 800 meters long with 8 inches in diameter HDPE pipes, 5 pipe outlets, 96 solar panels with 38,400 watts of system capacity, and a 45 KW Hybrid System.

Furthermore, NIA formally conducted the groundbreaking ceremony of the UPRIIS Division VI Administration Building in Brgy. Cavite, Guimba, Nueva Ecija. Its construction started on December 20, 2021, and is expected to be completed by September 15 of this year. With a lot area of 13,686 sq.m. and a floor area of 930 sq.m., this project will accommodate employees from NIA-UPRIIS Division VI. To date, the construction of the perimeter fence and site development as well as the construction of the equipment shed, guard, and power house is still ongoing.

Present in the event were the newly appointed NIA Top Management Officials, Senior Deputy Administrator Benny D. Antiporda and Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph A. Du, UPRIIS Department Manager Rosalinda B. Bote, UPRIIS Division VI Manager Engr. Jose Ariel G. Domingo, DFIA President Federico C. Cinense III, CASSAMFVROST IA President Felixberto P. Dulay and IA members. Unlike previous events, no local government officials were invited in accordance with the Omnibus Election Code and NIA Memorandum Circular No. 16, series 2022, which states that the Agency’s resources and official meetings shall not be used for any electioneering and partisan political activities during the 2022 National Elections.

NIA Top Management Officials, headed by Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, assures that aligned with the Agency’s continuous efforts for innovative irrigation, NIA remains committed to its mandate of providing efficient, reliable, and sustainable irrigation service to the Filipino farmers while making a strategic contribution to the development of the country’s agricultural sector.

NIA-UPRIIS Division VI Administration Building Groundbreaking Ceremony

(From left to right) DFIA President Federico C. Cinense III, UPRIIS Division VI Manager Engr. Jose Ariel G. Domingo, UPRIIS Department Manager Rosalinda B. Bote, Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph A. Du, Senior Deputy Administrator Benny D. Antiporda laying the time capsule

(From left to right) DFIA President Federico C. Cinense III, UPRIIS Department Manager Rosalinda B. Bote, Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph A. Du, Senior Deputy Administrator Benny D. Antiporda and UPRIIS Division VI Manager Engr. Jose Ariel G. Domingo during the ceremonial shoveling

(From left to right) Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph A. Du, Senior Deputy, Administrator Benny D. Antiporda, UPRIIS Department Manager Rosalinda B. Bote, UPRIIS Division VI Manager Engr. Jose Ariel G. Domingo and CASSAMFVROST IA President Felixberto P. Dulay unveiling the marker of Villa Rosario, Talugtug Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project

(From left to right) Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph A. Du, Senior Deputy, Administrator Benny D. Antiporda, UPRIIS Department Manager Rosalinda B. Bote, UPRIIS Division VI Manager Engr. Jose Ariel G. Domingo and CASSAMFVROST IA President Felixberto P. Dulay during the unveiling the marker of Villa Rosario, Talugtug Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project

(From left to right) Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph A. Du, Senior Deputy, Administrator Benny D. Antiporda, UPRIIS Department Manager Rosalinda B. Bote, UPRIIS Division VI Manager Engr. Jose Ariel G. Domingo and CASSAMFVROST IA President Felixberto P. Dulay during the ribbon cutting of Villa Rosario, Talugtug Solar-Powered Pump Irirgation Project

(From left to right) UPRIIS Division VI Manager Engr. Jose Ariel G. Domingo, UPRIIS Department Manager Rosalinda B. Bote, Senior Deputy, Administrator Benny D. Antiporda, Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph A. Du and CASSAMFVROST IA President Felixberto P. Dulay during the program proper of the Inauguration of Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project

UPRIIS Department Manager Rosalinda B. Bote delivers her message

Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph A. Du delivers his message

Senior Deputy Administrator Benny D. Antiporda delivers his message

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

EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA
Department Manager
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
E-mail: evcselva2000@yahoo.com

Landline: (02) 8921-3741

NIA eyes more investment in renewable energy

March 1, 2022, 1:10 PM

NIA Central Office – In an article published on the official website of politics.com.ph on February 22, 2022, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and Senator Panfilo M. Lacson shared their plans on how to address the irrigation problems of the country through a wider state-funded program that would install solar-powered irrigation systems (SPISs) on paddy fields and plantations. The plan is very much aligned with the innovation and modernization thrusts of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), especially on the utilization of irrigation facilities, dams, and reservoirs for renewable energy development.

As the lead government agency mandated to develop all possible sources of water for irrigation, NIA is also embarking on the benefits of developing more floating solar and hydroelectric power projects on its existing irrigation systems and future irrigation projects nationwide for income generation.

Due to Irrigation Service Fee (ISF) exemption of farmers with landholding of eight (8) hectares and below under the Free Irrigation Service Act (Republic Act No. 10969), NIA ventures on the development of hydroelectric power, solar, and floating solar power projects to further strengthen its viability as a Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC). It will address both irrigation and renewable energy development concerns of the Filipino communities.

As of December 31, 2021, NIA had already completed 333 solar-powered irrigation projects nationwide amounting to P1,517,533,450.71 that can produce a total of 4,215.33 horsepower (hp) of energy. These projects can irrigate 6,482.62 hectares of agricultural land, benefitting 8,467 farmers and their families. Based on the data, an investment cost of P360,003.48 is necessary to produce one (1) hp and P234,092.61 to irrigate one (1) hectare of agricultural land.

Moreover, a total of 379 potential hydroelectric power sites nationwide were identified by NIA as contribution in providing resources for renewable energy, as well as in maximizing the utilization of irrigation water. Among the potential sites for hydropower development, four (4) are already operational. These are the 8.5-megawatt (MW) MARIS Main (South) Canal Hydroelectric Power in Isabela, 1.0-MW Rizal Hydropower Plant in Nueva Ecija, 1.0-MW Bulanao Mini-Hydropower Plant in Kalinga, and 500-kilowatt (kW) Marbel #1 MHPP in South Cotabato. While the Agency encourages this undertaking, one of the conditions set by NIA is that the project should not, in any way, obstruct irrigation water delivery as the primordial service of the Agency.

NIA also develops floating solar project which have less environmental impact during construction as compared to the land-based installation. This is because there is no massive earth moving and minimal use of heavy equipment. The solar panels installed over the reservoir can help reduce the amount of water lost due to evaporation, which becomes particularly useful in times of drought and El Niño. Similarly, the panels are intentionally spaced-out so that there can still be enough sunlight that can filter through for fish and other organisms to grow. On June 27, 2019, NIA and SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP) switched on the 200-kilowatt pilot floating solar project on a 2,500-square meter area over the Magat reservoir on June 27, 2019 in Ramon, Isabela. The project design is inspired by the Amazon giant water lily and presents an opportunity to generate clean energy while conserving precious land area that could potentially serve other purposes, particularly for agriculture.

Aside from Magat Dam, there are still other big dams in the country which can also be installed with floating solar power plant, especially the Pantabangan Dam the Province of Nueva Ecija and Jalaur Dam in the Province of Iloilo. Thus, NIA offers its dams and reservoirs for water-based projects which can achieve the same purpose of increasing power production while saving agricultural lands and providing additional income to the government.

At the same time, NIA ventures to solar powered irrigation systems (SPISs) as the Agency started the adoption of the said technology to replace expensive diesel pumps which carries burden on the farmers. These projects are more cost-effective than the fuel-powered irrigation pumps due to the operation costs. SPISs can last for up to 25 years as long as the solar panels are well-maintained. Only batteries, which are locally available, have to be changed every two years. NIA completed an SPIS located in Barangay Pacuan, Malasiqui, Pangasinan that can irrigate 25 hectares of cornfield. The system has five stations, each with 10 panels capable of irrigating three to five hectares of agricultural land. The technology consists of solar panels, pumps, electronic pump controllers, storage tanks, and conveyor systems.

The development and construction of hydropower projects is aligned with Presidential Decree (PD) No. 552 Section 2C, dated September 11, 1974, which gives NIA the directive to achieve the optimum utilization and control of water resources primarily for irrigation purposes, secondarily for hydraulic power development, and for domestic water supply and others.

Cited as the legal basis for these developments are the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (Republic Act No. 9513) and Mini-Hydroelectric Power Incentives Act (Republic Act No. 7156). In this regard, NIA has issued Memorandum Circular No. 55 series of 2011 which provides the Guidelines on Site Identification and Investigation, and Plant Establishment and Operation for Mini-Hydroelectric Power Projects in NIA-Administered Irrigation Systems.

The 1.0-MW hydropower facility, located near the main canal of Pampanga River Irrigation System (PRIS), known to local residents as Rizal Dam, started its commercial operation in 2017.

The 200-kilowatt pilot floating solar project on a 2,500-square meter area over the Magat Reservoir located in Ramon, Isabela

The completed solar-powered irrigation system located in Barangay Pacuan, Malasiqui, Pangasinan which will irrigate 25 hectares of cornfield in the area

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

EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA
Acting Department Manager
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
E-mail: evcselva2000@yahoo.com
Landline: (02) 8921-3741 loc. 113

NIA acquires 345 units of motor vehicles for field operations

March 10, 2022, 12:01 PM

NIA Central Office – With the goal of providing more efficient monitoring, evaluation, and field inspection/validation of the status of on-going construction and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) activities of irrigation projects nationwide, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has recently acquired 345 units of light and transport equipment (Honda XR 150 Motors) worth P34.327 million from the winning bidder, K Servico Trade, Inc.

The acquisition of light/transport equipment is in line with the Four-Point Agenda of NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, particularly in instituting measures to improve the delivery of services, such as but not limited to modernization of equipment for operations and project implementation. The purchase of light/transport and heavy equipment is also part of the Agency’s re-fleeting program.

For CY 2017, NIA purchased 34 units of light/transport vehicles and 17 units of heavy equipment. For CY 2018, NIA acquired 91 units of light/transport vehicles and 18 units of heavy equipment. Meanwhile, five units of heavy equipment and 91 units of light/transport vehicles were set for procurement in 2019.

As of December 31, 2021, NIA maintained in operating condition 3,375 units of heavy, light/transport, other support, and special equipment in support to the operations and maintenance of irrigation systems nationwide. On the other hand, 640 units of equipment are unoperational but repairable, while 1,227 units of equipment are recommended for disposal. Thus, the re-fleeting program is expected to make NIA field operations more efficient and reliable.

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

EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA
Department Manager A
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
E-mail: evcselva2000@yahoo.com
Landline: (02) 8921-3741 loc. 113

Irrigation water requirement, sufficient amidst the dropping of Angat Dam water level

March 10, 2022, 1:47 PM

As the National Irrigation Administration instructed the farmers serviced by the Angat-Maasim River Irrigation System (AMRIS) to adapt the adjusted cropping calendar, the dropping of the water level of Angat Dam which allocates water for irrigation to Bulacan and Pampanga farmlands poses no threat to the farmers.

This is mentioned by Engr. C’zar M. Sulaik, NIA Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector in a TV Program interview conducted by Net 25 – Mata ng Agila on February 28, 2022.

On the day of the interview, the water level of Angat Dam is at 196.29 masl, almost 16 meters lower than its normal water level of 212 masl. At the start of the month of February, the water level of the dam has been below normal, thus reducing its water allocation for irrigation.

However, DA Sulaik said that this does not greatly affect the farmers in Bulacan and Pampanga benefitting from Angat Dam because their farmlands are already in its terminal drainage wherein water requirement is less. In the months of March and April, only 5 m³/s is necessary to complete the remaining irrigation requirement for AMRIS.

DA Sulaik shared that NIA has already conducted coordination meeting with Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) on the conduct of cloud seeding over the reservoir which is scheduled on March 8, 2022.

Closing the interview, DA Sulaik said, “Ang atin pong mga ginagawang preventive maintenance ng ating mga irrigation facilities, ‘yung ating pagpapatupad ng early planting at ‘yun pong tinatawag nating water delivery na kailangang sundin po ng ating mga magsasaka upang hindi po tayo nagkakaroon ng problema dun sa ating mga requirement sa ating mga palayan. Dahil kung wala pong magandang coordination on the water delivery, ito po yung nagdudulot ng problema sa ating magsasaka kapag kanya-kanya po yung ating pagsasagawa ng pagpapatubig."