August 2022

Post-Earthquake...
1 Aug 2022 - 7:43am
NIA acquires P30-million...
4 Aug 2022 - 10:06am
Benny D. Antiporda: The...
4 Aug 2022 - 1:03pm
Tested Integrity of NIA...
4 Aug 2022 - 2:45pm

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Post-Earthquake Assessment on irrigation damages

August 1, 2022, 7:43 AM
 

NIA Central Office – Immediately after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Luzon island on July 27, 2022, NIA Management called on a meeting with all NIA Department, Regional, and Project Managers for the assessment of earthquake damages on irrigation facilities.

Upon the conduct of field investigation and site inspection, NIA Region I incurred damages in the Main Canal (150 meters) of Banaoang Pump Irrigation System (Banaoang PIS) in the Municipality of Bantay, Ilocos Sur affecting irrigation service to about 2,000 hectares of agricultural land. The estimated cost of infrastructure damage is P15 million. In Pangasinan, no damages were recorded at the San Roque Dam based on the initial Report of Pangasinan IMO. For the provinces of La Union and Ilocos Norte, no major damages on irrigation infrastructure were recorded.

NIA Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) recorded no damages on NIA CAR office buildings, except Abra Satellite Office with an estimated damage cost of P5 million. The Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) in Kalinga and West Apayao Abulug Irrigation System (WAAIS) intake gates were closed for inspection of possible damages of canal embankment. Field Offices Calamity Task Force are monitoring the status of ongoing and existing infrastructures. Office work was already suspended in NIA CAR today while work in NIA Abra is suspended until Friday. Aftershocks are still being felt, especially in Abra. Boulders and rocks continue to fall in some roads. Provincial and IMO heads are still monitoring irrigation system mostly through text and chat messages due to road blockages.

NIA Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) reported that Magat Dam and its appurtenant structures, Baligatan Hydroelectric Power Plant, Baligatan Diversion Dam, MARIS Dam and Bridge structure, buildings, and roads are undamaged and in good condition. However, for the safety of NIA MARIIS personnel, drainage galleries were not yet inspected due to the aftershocks experienced in the locality. Compared with previous readings, the earthquake has no significant impact on dam structure. Dam structure is in normal condition. The inspection of the drainage galleries, power transmission, distribution lines, the slide at the Korokan Fault, and watershed and reservoir rim will be conducted on July 28, 2022.  For more thorough evaluation, MARIIS will be requesting experts from NIA Central Office for Joint Dam Safety Inspection and Evaluation.

In Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS), a memo instructing all UPRIIS offices to assess dams, canal structures and office buildings was issued by Department Manager Rosalinda B. Bote right after the earthquake. As per initial assessment, the earthquake in Abra did not affect the integrity of the Pantabangan Dam. Visual observations also showed that there were no major damages to the dam structures/embankment, building facilities, roadway, canal structures, and electro-mechanical components under UPRIIS Dam and Reservoir. From the reports already forwarded by Division Office Engineers, no damages were recorded during their inspection.

At NIA Central Office, office work was suspended as per the directive of the NIA Management. The Emergency Preparedness and Safety Team reported that no damages on office buildings and facilities were recorded. All other Luzon areas has no reported damages as of the moment.

NIA Management encourages the public to remain alert for possible aftershocks. In these natural disasters, emergency preparedness and public cooperation are necessary to protect the lives of the Filipino people.

 

Damaged Main Canal of Banaoang Pump Irrigation System in the Municipality of Bantay, Ilocos Sur

 
 

NIA Abra Office damaged by earthquake

 

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

EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA
Department Manager A
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
E-mail: pais@nia.gov.ph
Landline: (02) 8921-3741

 

NIA acquires P30-million heavy equipment for field operations

August 4, 2022, 10:06 AM
 

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 5 units of heavy equipment (Doozan wheeled excavators) worth P32 million from the winning bidder, Inframachineries Corporation.

In a simple handover ceremony on July 28, 2022, Inframachineries Corporation Representative Ma. Cristina De Vera turned over the symbolic keys of the heavy equipment to NIA Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector C’zar M. Sulaik. Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph Lauren A. Du, Corporate Planning Services Department Manager Rogelia C. Dela Torre, Public Affairs and Information Staff Department Manager Eden Victoria C. Selva, Acting Financial Management Department Manager Milca B. Cayanga, Acting Operations Department Manager Delsy J. Revellame, Equipment Management Division Manager Albert D. Asturiano, and Human Resources Division Manager Rosalinda A. Segocio were present during the ceremony.

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.

As part of the Agency’s Re-Fleeting Program from CY 2017-2022, NIA acquired 220 units of light and transport equipment, 52 units of heavy equipment, and 345 units of motor vehicle for use in the monitoring and evaluation of the status of ongoing construction and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) activities nationwide.

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.

Blessing Ceremony of the newly acquired heavy equipment led by Rev. Fr. Renz Marzo

From left to right: Corporate Planning Services Department Manager Rogelia C. Dela Torre, Public Affairs and Information Staff Department Manager Eden Victoria C. Selva, Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph Lauren A. Du, Acting Operations Department Manager Delsy J. Revellame, Acting Financial Management Department Manager Milca B. Cayanga, Human Resources Division Manager Rosalinda A. Segocio, and Inframachineries Corporation Representative Ma. Cristina De Vera during the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony of the newly acquired heavy equipment

Inframachineries Corporation Representative Ma. Cristina De Vera (3rd from right) turned over the symbolic keys of the heavy equipment to NIA Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector C’zar M. Sulaik (4th from right).

NIA Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector C’zar M. Sulaik delivers his Acceptance Message.

Inframachineries Corporation Representative Ma. Cristina De Vera delivers her message.

Newly acquired heavy equipment of NIA

 

**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

 

Benny D. Antiporda: The New NIA Administrator

August 4, 2022, 1:03 PM
 

NIA Central Office – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos, Jr. recently appointed former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary and NIA Senior Deputy Administrator Benny D. Antiporda as the NIA Acting Administrator and Member of the NIA Board of Directors. A statement from the Office of the Press Secretary on July 22, 2022 confirmed Antiporda’s appointment, along with 11 other new government officials.

In a simple NIA Management Turnover Ceremony on July 29, 2022 at NIA Matikas Multipurpose Hall, Retired General Ricardo R. Visaya passed on the baton of leadership to Administrator Antiporda after serving the Agency for 5 years and 4 months. National Confederation of Irrigators Association (NCIA) President Remy N. Albano, NIA Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector C’zar M. Sulaik, Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph Lauren A. Du, Central Office Department and Division Managers, Regional and Project Managers nationwide, NIA employees, and family and friends of the outgoing and incoming administrators are present during the ceremony.

Under the term of Administrator Visaya and then President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, NIA achieved significant impacts with 7.95% increase in irrigation development. A total of 382 solar-powered pump irrigation projects, 1 floating solar power project in Magat Dam, 6 operational hydroelectric power projects, 1,035,921 Free Irrigation Service Act (FISA) farmer-beneficiaries, 34 IA Model Farms nationwide, 3 flood forecasting and instrumentation section command centers in the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS), Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS), here in Central Office, with the re-fleeting program of 220 units of light and transport equipment, 57 units of heavy equipment, and 345 units of motor vehicle, and hundreds of irrigation projects were completed nationwide.

The Ceremonial Turnover of the NIA Flag was presided by NCIA President Albano. Engr. Jimmy L. Apostol, President of NIA Association of Regional, Department, and Operations Managers (ARDOMA), and Deputy Administrator Sulaik led the Awarding of the Plaques of Appreciation to Administrator Visaya. It was followed by the Awarding of the Token of Appreciation by the Top Management Officials and Managers nationwide.

In his message, Outgoing Administrator Visaya expressed his gratitude for then President Duterte and to the Agency for the opportunity of serving the Filipino farmers and the nation. He congratulated the new Acting Administrator and wished to continue what the Agency has started.

The Acceptance Message of Incoming Administrator Antiporda highlighted the Agency’s accomplishments under the term of Administrator Visaya and expressed his plans and programs to further uplift the country’s irrigation and agricultural sector under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos. Thus, he aims to revitalize irrigation development and launched the #NIAParaSaBayan.

One of the highlights of the event was the “Legacy Walk” of the Outgoing Administrator to the office hallway filled with photos of his accomplishments in more than 5 years of public service excellence in NIA.

In the afternoon, the 1st Management Meeting under Administrator Antiporda's management was conducted at the NIA Convention Hall, 5th Floor, IEC Building. It aims to discuss the plans and programs of the new administrator with the objective of intensifying the Agency’s efforts and achievements in the years to come. One of the highlights of the meeting is the continued response and action of the Agency for the affected irrigation facilities in the recently earthquake-stricken regions. Administrator Antiporda directed the survey of all areas needed to be irrigated nationwide as he earlier expressed his goal to double up the completed irrigation projects of the Agency. Public-Public Partnership (PUP) was also tackled for the LGU-NIA partnerships. Further, he assured all regional and project managers nationwide of his support to address problems in their respective regions. Ultimately, Administrator Antiporda emphasized to all that all these are always and will be for the welfare of the Filipino people.

#NIAParaSaBayan

The “Legacy Walk” of Outgoing Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, together with his good wife, Mildred Visaya, highlights his accomplishments in more than 5 years of public service excellence in NIA.

Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph Lauren A. Du delivers his Welcome Remarks.

The Awarding of the Plaques of Appreciation to Administrator Visaya (right) led by NIA ARDOMA President and NIA Region XI Manager Jimmy L. Apostol (left)

Awarding of the Plaques of Appreciation to Administrator Visaya by NIA Central Office led by Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector C’zar M. Sulaik (4th from left)

The Awarding of the Token of Appreciation to the Outgoing Administrator

Outgoing Administrator Visaya delivers his message.

Administrator Antiporda signs his Assumption of Duties.

From left to right: Outgoing Administrator Visaya, NCIA President Albano (Presiding Officer), and Administrator Antiporda during the Ceremonial Turnover of the NIA Flag

NIA Administrator Antiporda delivers his Acceptance Message.

 

MANAGEMENT MEETING

NIA Administrator Antiporda (2nd from left) called on the 1st Management Meeting with other Top Management Officials, department, project, and division managers.

UPRIIS Department Manager Rosalinda B. Bote during the 1st Management Meeting under Administrator Antiporda’s Management

NIA Administrator Antiporda during the 1st Management Meeting

 

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

EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA
Department Manager A
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
E-mail: pais@nia.gov.ph
Landline: (02) 8921-3741 loc. 113

 

Tested Integrity of NIA Constructed Dams

August 4, 2022, 2:45 PM
 

NIA Central Office – The two major dams in Luzon, the 48-year-old Pantabangan Dam in Pantabangan Nueva Ecija and the 39-year-old Magat Dam in Ramon, Isabela, were undamaged by the recent Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake in Tayum, Abra on July 27, 2022. This attests the structural integrity of NIA dams which can stand 50 years and even beyond a half century.

In a press conference held by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on August 1, 2022 at NIA Convention Hall, 5th Floor, DCIEC Building, Acting Administrator Benny D. Antiporda and Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector C’zar M. Sulaik assured the public that the earthquake had no major damages to the dam structures/embankment, building facilities, roadway, canal structures, and electro-mechanical components.

Administrator Antiporda emphasized that the public does not need worry about safety and irrigation service delivery because NIA has precautionary measures. Wala pong damage ang ating dams. The Agency only wants to ensure the safety of the public, especially the communities located on downstream areas.

Even though the major dams were not affected by the earthquake, some communal irrigation projects of NIA incurred damages. Based on initial assessment of the Agency, a total of 27 irrigation projects covering about 3,167.50 hectares of agricultural land incurred damages amounting to P243.33 million. Twenty-six of which are located in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and one (1) in Ilocos Region: the Banaoang Pump Irrigation System located in the Municipality of Bantay, Ilocos Sur which Administrator Antiporda is set to personally visit right after the press conference.

Despite the earthquake incident, NIA ensures the unhampered delivery of irrigation service to the Filipino farmers in adherence to the food security program of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos, Jr.

NIA Acting Administrator Benny D. Antiporda and Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector C’zar M. Sulaik during the press conference on irrigation projects damaged by the recent Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake

The two NIA Top Management Officials assured the public that the earthquake had no major damages to the dam structures/embankment, building facilities, roadway, canal structures, and electro-mechanical components.

NIA Acting Administrator Antiporda during the press conference on irrigation projects damaged by the recent Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake

Media Friends of NIA covering the Agency’s press conference

 

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

EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA
Department Manager A
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
E-mail: pais@nia.gov.ph
Landline: (02) 8921-3741

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