With the theme “Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage”, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) supports the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Department of Agriculture (DA) in celebrating World Soil Day on December 5, 2024.

NIA commends the ongoing efforts of FAO and DA in promoting the sustainable management of soil resources, advancing awareness, and driving impactful advocacy for a healthier, more productive environment.

Together, let us take meaningful actions toward sustainable soil management to ensure food security for all.

#bayaNIAn sa #BagongPilipinas

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has to date sold a total of 1.14 million kilograms (kg) of rice at P29/kg to tens of thousands of senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), recipients of 4Ps, and other members of the country's vulnerable sector.

The milled rice, packed in 10-kg bags, was sold at P290 each at NIA central office in Quezon City and all other NIA regional offices, where the agency implements the Marcos government's rice contract farming program.

"To date, NIA has sold P33.15-million worth of rice to about 114,300 individuals and families nationwide, which is our humble contribution on behalf of President Bongbong Marcos to providing the less fortunate members of our society affordable and quality rice," said NIA Administrator engineer Eduardo Guillen.

The P29/kg-rice all came from the 38,000-hectare farms tilled by members of NIA Irrigators' Associations (IAs) nationwide, who are participating in the agency's rice contract farming program this current 2024 wet season cropping.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), a key Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC), proudly announces the appointment of Atty. Jeffrey G. Gallardo as its new Chairman of the Board. His appointment follows a majority vote by NIA's Board of Directors, marking a new era of leadership for the agency.

Joining him is Engr. Cristopher V. Morales, Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development at the Department of Agriculture, as Vice Chairman. Atty. Allan Paul Sarangaya remains the Corporate Board Secretary, while Mr. Robert Victor G. Seares, Jr., Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance and Atty. Allan Paul Sarangaya serve as the Compliance Officers in adherence to GCG Memorandum Circular No. 2012-07, the "Code of Corporate Governance for GOCCs."

As Chairman, Atty. Gallardo will preside over Board meetings, guide critical decision-making, manage communication between the Board and NIA’s management, and ensure corporate governance standards are upheld. This leadership change comes at a pivotal time, as NIA’s projects align with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s Build Better More program, reinforcing national efforts to strengthen agriculture and food security. NIA’s Board plays an essential role in ensuring governance and accountability, supporting the success of irrigation and rural development initiatives.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) will be working with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to enhance engagement of the private sector in the development of its facilities. This partnership was formalized through a Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) Agreement which was inked by the parties on September 18, 2024.

NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie Guillen and F. Cleo Kawawaki, Head, Office of Markets Development and PPP (OMDP) led the signing at the NIA Central Office. Under this, ADB will provide technical assistance and support to NIA in designing and preparing projects that shall be funded through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) at no cost to the agency. This means that ADB will help NIA in ensuring that its proposed PPP projects shall be technically and financially viable and shall go through competitive selection process.

The agreement covers the development of PPP projects in NIA’s existing facilities such as the Pantabangan Reservoir in the Province of Nueva Ecija, the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) in the Province of Iloilo, and canals of existing irrigation systems. Floating solar power systems at the reservoirs of Pantabangan and JRMP II as well as in irrigation canals will be designed for PPP under the TAS.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) sold Php 29 pesos per kilo rice today, August 8, 2024.

Select buyers consisting of 300 residents of barangays Pag-asa, Central and Pinyahan, Quezon City were 4Ps beneficiaries, elderly, solo parents and persons with special needs.

Affordable rice sold were produce of farmers nationwide who are beneficiaries of NIA’s Contract Farming Program where qualified Irrigators Associations (IA) across the country received 50,000 pesos worth of farm inputs and cash from NIA.

With these inputs, the IAs were expected to produce five metric tons of fresh palay during the third cropping, in which about 50% of the milled rice from the harvest will be sold at the NIA Kadiwa stores for Php 29.

Selling of affordable rice will be replicated in other key NIA offices nationwide where pilot Contract Farming beneficiaries are located.

This initiative staunchly supports the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for affordable food for Filipinos nationwide.

“Ito ay simula pa lamang ng mas maraming suplay ng abot-kaya ngunit de-kalidad na bigas para sa mga mamamayang Pilipino”, said NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie Guillen.

Administrator Guillen also thanked the leadership and support of President Marcos, the Congress, the Department of Agriculture (DA), government partners and NIA employees for their support to the Contract Farming program.

Through the government's contract farming program, farmers could efficiently produce rice, reducing its average production cost to less than P15 per kilogram (kg), and subsequently sell rice at P29/kg.

"In fact, on the last week of July, our farmers in Region 3 (Central Luzon), CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region), Region 4B (MIMAROPA), UPRIIS (Upper Pampanga Integrated Irrigation System), and Region 13 (CARAGA), who planted hybrid rice varieties will start harvesting from an initial 40,000 hectares under our rice contract farming program," said Engineer Eduardo Guillen, Administrator of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). "And we expect an additional 50,000 tons of palay by August, from other regions." he added.

NIA Central Office – After the onslaught of Typhoon Aghon in Luzon Island on May 25, 2024, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) immediately conducted assessment on crop and infrastructure damages. Reports from the Operations Department showed that damages to crops and infrastructures reach P202.02 million.

In CALABARZON, the typhoon caused an estimated damage to irrigation systems amounting to P200.3 million and affected 6,015 hectares of agricultural land in the region. To address the damages on irrigation canals, protection works, canal structures, and dams, NIA has outlined immediate repair plans categorized into Level I and Level II.  

Level I includes emergency works aimed at restoring service areas and saving standing crops, with an estimated cost pegged at P55.3 million. On the other hand, Level II involves comprehensive repairs to ensure the long-term stability of irrigation structures, with an estimated cost of P145 million. The Agency also recorded that 6,569 farmers across the region have been directly affected by the typhoon.

Noong ika-4 ng Hunyo, isinagawa ang isang panayam sa Programang Agribusiness na kasama si National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen upang talakayin ang mga paraan kung papaano nga ba pababain ang presyo ng bigas at itaas ang kita ng mga magsaskaka.

Bilang panimula ng panayam, tinalakay nila ang Contract Farming, na isang programa ng NIA.

INBRED AT HYBRID

Sa programang Contract Farming, mayroong dalawang uri ng seeds na binibigay ang NIA: Inbred at Hybrid. 

Sa Inbred, ang magiging regular na yield ay 5 metric tons kada ektarya o 3,150 kgs na bigas kung gagamitin  ang 63% milling recovery rate ng NFA. Ito ay magreresulta ng P9.50 o hindi lalampas ng P10 ang total production cost. 

Samantala sa Hybrid, ang magiging regular yield naman ay 8 metric tons kada ektarya o 5,040 kgs na bigas kung gagamitin ng 63% milling recovery rate ng NFA. Ito naman ay magreresulta sa P9.92 na total production cost.

WHOLE VALUE CHAIN

Kaugnay sa Contract Farming ng NIA, nais ni Pangulong Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. na makuha ng ating mga magsasaka ang whole value chain. 

Ang buong value chain na ito ay katulad ng proseso ng pag-ani ng palay hanggang sa ito ay maging bigas. Sinasabayan ng NIA Administrator ang konsepto ng buong value chain mula sa pagsusuri ng lupa, pagpaplano ng pondo, paghahanda ng sakahan, insurance, marketing, at iba pa.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., along with NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen, marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project – Stage II (MMIP-II) on April 29, 2024 in Barangay Bagoinged, Pikit, Cotabato. President Marcos led the official opening of the Right Main Canal 2 Headgate of Laterals C and D that convey the water 36 kilometers away from Maridagao Dam to the said barangay.

“Sa awa ng Diyos, narito tayo ngayon para pasinayahan ang MMIP-II na tiyak na makatutulong sa ating mga kababayan dito. Pinili namin ang lugar na ito para sa inagurasyon upang ipakita na ang tubig mula sa Maridagao River kahit na malayo ay kaya nang ipaabot ang tubig pang-irigasyon sa ating mga magsasaka dito sa Pikit Cotabato”, said NIA Administrator Guillen during the event.

MMIP-II is a multi-year project covering the municipalities of Pikit and Aleosan in Cotabato, and Pagalungan and Datu Paglas in Maguindanao Del Sur, BARMM. The project is designed to irrigate 9,528 hectares of farmland, benefiting around 4,000 farmers, including former MILF combatants or the decommissioned combatants. The project aims not only to increase agricultural productivity and livelihoods but also to improve peace and order in the region. The irrigation project, a testament to visionary leadership and collaborative efforts, signifies a new era of progress and unity in the Philippines.