September 2022

Lingkod-BAYANi

19 Sep 2022 - 1:35pm

NIA’s PPP investment...

19 Sep 2022 - 8:00am

NIA files cases against...

29 Sep 2022 - 1:19pm

ENOUGH OF THE RESETA AND...

21 Sep 2022 - 8:00am

Lingkod-BAYANi

September 19, 2022, 1:35 PM

NIA Central Office – Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1050, series of 1997 declaring the month of September as the Civil Service Month, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), headed by NIA Administrator Benny Antiporda, supports the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and all government offices nationwide in celebrating the 122nd Philippine Civil Service Anniversary in September 2022.

NIA greets the 1.8 million workforce of the Philippine Government who serve as key players of transparency and accountability in public service. The Agency salutes and honors its 14,302 employees nationwide as they work together to provide efficient, reliable, and sustainable irrigation service to the Filipino farmers.

#NIAparasabayan
#TuloyAngDaloyNIA
#NIA

NIA’s PPP investment pledges reach P1 trillion

September 19, 2022, 8:00 AM

NIA Central Office – With the top priority of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos, Jr. to revitalize the country’s agriculture sector through irrigation development, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) eyes Public-Private Partnership (PPP) on irrigation development.

FUNDING is one of the major operational issues of NIA, as with other government agencies. Data shows that the estimated development cost of the lands without irrigation amounts to 594.76 billion pesos.

President Marcos, Jr. called for the application of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to government infrastructure projects. Thus, Administrator Benny D. Antiporda immediately went into the study of PPP application to NIA projects. In two months, NIA now has a total investment pledge of more than one trillion pesos from potential private partners, which would then allow NIA to pursue its irrigation projects without the restriction of limited funding.

NIA is faced with the issue of the low economic viability of its projects, considering that the primary purpose of NIA projects is the irrigation of our farmers’ agricultural lands for a nominal fee, which necessarily entails a low profit margin that is not attractive to potential private partners. Thus, the Agency is presently exploring the addition of investment opportunities that may improve the financial aspect of NIA projects potentially to be applied in PPP projects to provide a reasonable return of investment (ROI) to the partner-investors.

NIA has on its pipeline the formulation of a "Menu" of revenue streams that would indicate potential investment opportunities, including aquaculture farming, hydroelectric power generation, solar panels in the reservoir, solar panels covering the irrigation canals, and wind energy to generate power and, at the same time, minimizing water evaporation. The possibility of bulk water distribution that may be integrated in each NIA Project, thereby improving the economic viability of such projects. NIA is also exploring the carbon credits that will earn dollars for the investors and, at the same time, not only address the country’s issues on climate change but the entire world.

The PPP is envisioned to fast-track the infrastructure development of NIA which will cater to the thousands of Filipino farmers and, ultimately, answer the President;s call to strengthen the country's food security.

#NIAparasabayan
#TuloyAngDaloyNIA
#NIA

For inquiries and/or clarifications, you may contact:

CLARIZZE C. TORIBIO
Acting Department Manager
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
Email: pais@nia.gov.ph
Landline: (02) 8921-3741

NIA files cases against 2 officials for P205-million loss to Green Asia, eyes PPP on irrigation development

September 29, 2022, 1:19 PM

NIA Central Office – Heeding the call of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos, Jr. to eradicate graft and corruption in the Philippine Government, NIA Administrator Benny D. Antiporda and Senior Deputy Administrator Atty. Eryl Royce R. Nagtalon held a press conference on September 19, 2022 at NIA Convention Hall, 5th Floor, DCIEC Building to discuss the Agency’s request to the Office of the Ombudsman for the conduct of further investigation and filing of appropriate criminal and administrative cases against two NIA officials (Attorney IV) for violating the Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees, Gross Inexcusable Negligence, Misconduct and Conduct Unbecoming of Public Officers in the performance of their official duties.

NIA stands to lose the Green Asia Case with colossal amount of P205,958,119.77 due to the officials’ lackadaisical attitude and cavalier handling of the case. Such case could have been avoided if they performed their tasks and duties with devotion, utmost diligence, and good faith. The said damage is unduly suffered by the government and, ultimately, by the taxpayers – an injustice to the Filipino people.

Administrator Antiporda also shared the efforts of NIA to strengthen Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with 50 potential irrigation projects nationwide. Majority of these are big-ticket multipurpose projects with hydropower component with potentials on floating solar power farm and Small River Irrigation Projects (SRIPs) with reservoirs that can be utilized for floating solar power farm and/or mini-hydroelectric power plant.

The Action Man of NIA stated that the Agency can only assure the success of PPP to the investors if there is no corruption and the assurance of the Return of Investment (ROI). At present, NIA already received pledge of investment amounting to more than P1 trillion through Letters of Intent from different investors because of the integrity of Administrator Antiporda in dealing with business ventures. With PPP’s focus on reduced costs, better risk allocation, faster implementation, improved services, and possible generation of additional revenue, NIA calls on the Private Sector for the much-needed investments to the Philippine agriculture.

As part of NIA’s human resource management program, the Agency is now looking for the opportunity to regularize its 72 officials nationwide with acting appointments. Moreover, a total of 564 vacant plantilla (permanent) positions nationwide will be filled up to strengthen the Agency’s social capital. The said undertaking is deemed vital to efficiently deliver the Agency’s irrigation service to the Filipino farmers.

#NIAparasabayan
#TuloyAngDaloyNIA
#NIA

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

CLARIZZE C. TORIBIO
Acting Department Manager
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
E-mail: pais@nia.gov.ph
Landline: (02) 8921-3741 loc. 113

ENOUGH OF THE RESETA AND PADRINO SYSTEM

September 21, 2022, 8:00 AM

NIA Central Office – Enough of those days that reseta and padrino systems are tainting the recruitment and selection process in government sector. This has been proven by NIA Administrator Benny D. Antiporda when he presided the Oath Taking of four full-fledged NIA regional officials and instructed the posting of 564 vacant (permanent) positions based on merits and qualifications.

On his 52^nd day as the Chief of NIA, Administrator Antiporda appointed up to four officials of the Agency, namely, Engr. Gileu Michael O. Dimoloy, Engr. June Nathaniel S. Plaza, Engr. Lauro E. Ballesteros, Engr. Salome N. Layasan. They all previously held Acting Appointments before being appointed as full-fledged managers. Rose from the ranks, the said officials also held various key positions on field offices with decades of experiences in irrigation development.

The Action Man of NIA is giving stern warning to all officers of NIA to refrain from seeking endorsements from politicians and other people who has no concerns to NIA. The Administrator does not entertain reseta and padrino system in the government.

Instead of getting people he knows personally, Administrator Antiporda chose to trust NIA employees who are seasoned experts in the field of irrigation management. Without a doubt, the accomplishments and expertise of the regional officials have served as vital testaments of their rightful appointments to their respective positions.

"Everyone will have a chance on the switch, but never ever try to blew it", said Administrator Antiporda giving warning to all officials who might take any advantage of their position at the expense of the Filipino people.

Together, let us contribute towards the promotion of a culture of public service excellence.

Engr. Gileu Michael O. Dimoloy (right) takes his Oath of Office as full-fledged NIA official before Administrator Antiporda (left) on September 6, 2022 at the Conference Room of the Administrator, 2^nd Floor, Building B, NIA Central Office

Engr. June Nathaniel S. Plaza (right) takes his Oath of Office as full-fledged NIA official before Administrator Antiporda (left) on September 18, 2022 at the Conference Room of the Administrator, 2^nd Floor, Building B, NIA Central Office

Engr. Lauro E. Ballesteros (right) takes his Oath of Office as full-fledged NIA official before Administrator Antiporda (left) on September 21, 2022 at the Conference Room of the Administrator, 2^nd Floor, Building B, NIA Central Office

Engr. Salome N. Layasan (right) takes her Oath of Office as full-fledged NIA official before Administrator Antiporda (left) on September 21, 2022 at the Conference Room of the Administrator, 2^nd Floor, Building B, NIA Central Office

#NIAparasabayan
#TuloyAngDaloyNIA
#NIA

**For questions and/or clarifications, you may contact:
CLARIZZE C. TORIBIO
Acting Department Manager
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
E-mail: pais@nia.gov.ph
Landline: (02) 8921-3741 loc. 113