February 2026

NIA RESTORES IRRIGATION...

02/02/2026 - 12:08pm

NIA REHABILITATES...

02/19/2026 - 2:05pm

PBBM JOINS NIA-NCIA...

02/24/2026 - 11:32am

NIA CONDUCTS LEARNING...

02/26/2026 - 3:39pm

NIA RESTORES IRRIGATION TO NEARLY 40,000 HECTARES IN NUEVA ECIJA

February 2, 2026, 12:08 PM

NUEVA ECIJA – “Himala (Miracle).” This was how many Novo Ecijano farmers described the swift completion of the repair of the Talavera River Super Diversion Canal (SDC) Siphon, which was officially commissioned by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on February 1, 2026, at the boundary of Barangays Ligaya and San Nicolas, Llanera, Nueva Ecija.

The commissioning was led by NIA Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen, together with Mr. Felipe Tres Largo, representative of Senator Francis "Kiko" N. Pangilinan, NIA UPRIIS Acting Department Manager Engr. Alvin L. Manuel, Regional Confederation of Irrigators' Association (RCIA) President Dante A. Lazatin, Division Federation of IA President Federico C. Cinense III, DA Regional Technical Director Arthur D. Dayrit, and local government officials.

The completed project restored irrigation supply to a total of 39,748.93 hectares, benefitting 26,335 farmers across Nueva Ecija. The rapid completion of the project was carried out under the directive and close monitoring of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., who ordered the immediate repair and fast-tracking of works to swiftly restore irrigation to affected farmlands.

The Talavera River SDC Siphon is a critical component of the irrigation network serving large portions of Nueva Ecija, widely regarded as the country’s Rice Granary. Its rehabilitation and commissioning are expected to significantly boost agricultural productivity and directly support the national government’s food security agenda.

Administrator Guillen underscored that the project reflects what can be achieved through decisive leadership and strong collaboration among national agencies, local government units, contractors, and IAs. He also called on farmer-beneficiaries to help safeguard and properly maintain the facility to ensure its long-term sustainability.

The commissioning of the Talavera River SDC Siphon marks a major milestone in NIA’s continuing efforts to modernize and rehabilitate critical irrigation infrastructure nationwide, advancing the administration’s commitment to strengthen Philippine agriculture and uplift the lives of Filipino farmers.

#RightProject #RightPrice #RightQuality

#bayaNIAn sa #BagongPilipinas

NIA REHABILITATES MAHAYAG DAM IN JUST 10 MONTHS

February 19, 2026, 2:05 PM

NIA Region IX – Just 10 months from the start of rehabilitation works, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) successfully restored the Mahayag Dam in Barangay Lower Salug Daku, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur, marking a significant milestone in the government’s disaster resilience and agricultural development efforts.

On February 12, 2026, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and NIA Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen led the inauguration of the said project. Originally constructed in 1967 during the administration of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., the Mahayag Dam has long been a vital component of the Salug River Irrigation System (Salug RIS), the largest National Irrigation System (NIS) in entire Zamboanga Peninsula.

For decades, Salug RIS has provided irrigation to more than 8,102.58 hectares of farmland, 5,044.28 hectares of which are served by the Mahayag Dam. However, the structure suffered severe damage due to heavy flooding in late 2022 and early 2023. This resulted in partial collapse and posing risks not only to irrigation services but also to the safety and livelihood of nearby communities.

In response, the national government moved swiftly to fund the full reconstruction and major rehabilitation of the dam, allocating P450 million from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF). In coordination with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), NIA successfully implemented the said project.

President Marcos emphasized that the project reflects the government’s firm commitment to disaster recovery, agricultural development, and long-term infrastructure resilience. He also acknowledged the leadership of NIA Administrator Guillen and the dedication of partner agencies in ensuring the successful completion of the project.

Now fully rehabilitated, the dam will once again serve 3,174 farmers from the municipalities of Mahayag, Molave, Ramon Magsaysay, and Sominot with a stable and efficient water supply. This strengthens food production, improves farm incomes, and supports the broader goal of national food security. Building on this progress, the government will continue to invest in disaster-resilient irrigation infrastructure to protect communities, empower farmers, and build a more secure future for the country.

The rehabilitation of the Mahayag Dam signals renewed hope for the farming communities it serves. A legacy that began under President Marcos, Sr. now moves forward under the administration of President Marcos, Jr.

Likewise, NIA Region IX successfully implemented 20 solar-powered pump irrigation projects (SPIPs): four projects under Zamboanga del Sur Irrigation Management Office (IMO), six under Zamboanga Sibugay IMO, four under Zamboanga del Norte Regional Sub-Office (RSO), and six under Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi RSO. With a total service area of 616 hectares and 545 farmer-beneficiaries, these projects have a potential palay production per year of 6.16 million kilograms, equivalent to 3.88 million kilograms of rice.

Together, Mahayag Dam and SPIPs enhance water security, mitigate the impacts of Climate Change and El Niño, support multiple cropping seasons, reduce irrigation costs for farmers, and strengthen long-term agricultural productivity and food security in the region.

#bayaNIAn sa #BagongPilipinas

PBBM JOINS NIA-NCIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, INSPECTS THE COMMAND CENTER

February 24, 2026, 11:32 AM

NIA Central Office – President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen joined farmer-leaders nationwide during the 2026 National Irrigation Administration–National Confederation of Irrigators’ Associations (NIA–NCIA) General Assembly and Inspection to the NIA Command Center on February 24, 2026 in Diliman, Quezon City.

The General Assembly served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and alignment of programs between the government and Irrigators’ Associations (IAs) across the country. With the President as Keynote Speaker, the activity emphasized the administration’s strong commitment to food security, irrigation modernization, and farmer empowerment.

One of the highlights of the event was the Manifesto of Support to the President, led by NCIA President Hon. Remy N. Albano. The confederation plays a vital role in representing and advancing the interests of IAs nationwide and remains a key partner of NIA in strengthening participatory irrigation management and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

At present, NCIA is composed of 17 Regional Confederations of IAs (RCIAs), including two Division Confederations, namely, the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) and the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS), which all comprise 97 Provincial Confederations of IAs (PCIAs). As of December 31, 2025, NIA recorded 11,178 organized IAs nationwide, covering 1,685,282.21 hectares, with 1,276,249 farmer-beneficiaries and 1,165,014 farmer-members.

Following the General Assembly, President Marcos inspected the NIA Command Center, lauding the Agency’s digital systems for real-time monitoring, coordination, and data-driven decision-making.

The NIA Command Center was established as part of NIA’s modernization and digital transformation initiatives to address the growing need for faster access to information, stronger inter-office coordination, and proactive disaster preparation and response. It was constructed in parallel with the modernization of the Dam Monitoring System, resulting in the development of Systematized Telemetry Over Remote Monitoring (STORM), a centralized database management system.

The Command Center now serves as the Agency’s supervisory installation for the Flood Forecasting and Warning System (FFWS), overseeing the operations of NIA’s major dams, such as Magat, Pantabangan, and Bustos Dams, during both normal and abnormal conditions. Equipped with modern systems and technologies, it utilizes innovative platforms, such as AgroScout and Tomorrow.io, to further enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.

AgroScout uses artificial intelligence, drone technology, and satellite imagery to detect pests, crop diseases, and nutrient deficiencies in real time, helping reduce unnecessary costs while boosting crop yields. Complementing this is Tomorrow.io, a smart weather forecasting system that delivers accurate, hyper-local information on rainfall, wind strength, and changing weather conditions. This enables NIA officials to make timely, data-driven interventions.

During the pre-program, NIA Administrator Guillen and National Water Resources Board (NWRB) Executive Director Dr. Sevillo D. David, Jr. signed the Joint Implementing Guidelines for the NWRB-NIA-WRMO Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). In support for the NCIA, the Agrispecialist, Inc. donated 200,000 kilograms (200 metric tons) of BIO N Azospirillum-based microbial inoculant which can replace 400,000 bags of urea worth P720 million.

The successful conduct of the NIA-NCIA National Forum and the Inspection of the NIA Command Center is a testament to the government’s continuing commitment to strengthening collaboration with farmers and modernizing irrigation governance toward a more resilient and food-secure Philippines.

#bayaNIAn sa #BagongPilipinas

NIA CONDUCTS LEARNING FIELD VISIT WITH SEN. GATCHALIAN IN TARLAC

February 26, 2026, 3:39 PM

NIA BBMP-II — On February 26, 2026, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) conducted a Learning Field Visit and Consultation with Hon. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Senator of the Philippines and Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, to highlight the progress, challenges, and development plans of major irrigation projects in the Province of Tarlac.

NIA Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen, BBMP-II Acting Project Manager Engr. Randy C. Alipis, Irrigators’ Associations (IAs) from BBMP Phase I and II, Indigenous Peoples (IPs), the Abelling Tribe of San Jose, Tarlac, local government officials, and other stakeholders joined the on-site assessment and dialogue. It aims to strengthen collaboration in the implementation of irrigation projects that support agricultural productivity and food security.

The day began with the safety briefing at the dam site prior to proceeding with the site inspection in Barangay Maamot, followed by the site visit at the Tarlac Diversion Dam in Barangay Tibagan. The delegation also visited the NIA Camp Site in San Jose, Tarlac.

In the afternoon, the team convened at the Jose V. Yap Sports and Recreational Complex in Tarlac City, for the formal program. Administrator Guillen welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of sustained government support and community engagement in the successful implementation of irrigation projects.

A project briefer and audio-visual presentation (AVP) on the Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project Phase II (BBMP-II), including the Balog-Balog Storage Dam and its appurtenant structures, were presented to provide updates on project status and expected benefits to farmers and local communities.

BBMP began in 1977 under an irrigation development plan prepared by NIA. It was approved on February 10, 1988, with a project cost of P2.712 billion funded by an $85-million Italian loan. The construction started in March 1988. However, eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 severely damaged project facilities and service areas, delaying implementation and leading to the cancellation of Italian funding.

Due to funding constraints, BBMP was implemented in two phases. Phase I restored and improved existing irrigation and built new canals covering 12,475 hectares. However, without a dam or reservoir, water supply from the Moriones and O’Donnell Rivers was insufficient. Thus, NIA pursued Phase II, which includes the Balog-Balog Dam and appurtenant works to provide year-round irrigation to 34,410 hectares, along with flood control, hydropower, and social development programs.

At present, NIA targets the full implementation of the project. The highlights of the program include the interaction, interview, and consultation between Senator Gatchalian and representatives of IAs and the IPs including the Abelling Tribe. This served as a platform for stakeholders to directly convey their concerns, insights, and recommendations. Senator Gatchalian expressed the Senate’s support for priority infrastructure projects that promote inclusive growth, climate resilience, and sustainable water resource management.

The event marked another step towards strengthened partnership among policymakers, implementing agencies, LGUs, and farming communities in advancing irrigation development in Central Luzon. As NIA continues to pursue inclusive and sustainable irrigation development, the support of the legislature and the active participation of stakeholders remain vital in building a more resilient and more food-secure nation.

#bayaNIAn sa #BagongPilipinas