NIA Region I – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) inaugurated the newly rehabilitated P168.773-million Madongan River Irrigation System (RIS) and P131.292-million Solsona River Irrigation System (RIS) on November 24, 2021 in the Province of Ilocos Norte.
The rehabilitated and improved Madongan RIS with a Firmed-Up Service Area (FUSA) of 2,027 hectares covers the municipalities of Dingras and Marcos, supplying ten (10) barangays with eight (8) Irrigators Associations. While the Solsona RIS with a firmed-up service area (FUSA) of 1,340 hectares covers the municipalities of Solsona and Dingras, supplying nine (9) barangays with five (5) Irrigators Associations.
NIA Acting Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Freddie M. Toquero led the inauguration and turnover ceremony in behalf of the NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya. Present also in the event were Embassy of Japan H.E. Ambassador KOSHIKAWA KAZUHIKO, representatives of JICA headed by Chief Representative AZUKIZAWA Eigo, local government officials headed by representative to the Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, NISRIP Project Manager Silvino C. Navarro, NIA Region I Manager Angelito S. Miguel, and Ilocos Norte Irrigation Management Office (Ilocos Norte IMO) Manager Weynard Untalan. Also, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles conveyed his message through a pre-recorded video.
The Madongan RIS and Solsona RIS are under the National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (NISRIP), funded by the Japanese Government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Succeeding the event is the inauguration and turnover of the completed Lumbaan-Bicbica Small Irrigation Project on November 25, 2021 located at Barangay Garnaden, Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte.
Aside from the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of irrigation systems nationwide, NIA ventures in renewable energy development. As part of Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya’s innovation and modernization platform, NIA maximizes its full potential to develop hydroelectric power and solar projects. The Lumbaan-Bicbica SIP was constructed under the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte through Presidential Directive No. 2020-0034 for Solar-Powered Irrigation System under GAA 2020. This has a service area of 25 hectares and will benefit at least 20 cotton farmer-beneficiaries primarily from the town of Pinili, Ilocos Norte.
The Lumbaan-Bicbica SIP is NIA’s first irrigation project for cotton production. This is in support of the continued preservation and practice for the weaving industry in Pinili, Ilocos Norte where the Gamaba Cultural Center in honor of the 97-year old Magdalena Gamayo, an Inabel Weaver is located.
Furthermore, the Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sur-Abra Irrigation Project (INISAIP) building located in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte was inaugurated on November 25, 2021 led by NIA Acting Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Freddie M. Toquero in behalf of the NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya. Present also in the inauguration ceremony were NIA Region 1 Manager Angelito S. Miguel, INISAIP Acting Project Manager Gileu Michael O. Dimoloy and INISAIP personnel and staff.
NIA Top Management Officials, headed by Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, assure that aligned with the Agency’s continuous efforts for innovative irrigation, the Agency remains committed to its mandate of providing efficient, reliable, and sustainable irrigation service to the Filipino farmers.
Ribbon-cutting of Solsona River Irrigation System (RIS), Ilocos Norte
Unveiling of marker of Solsona River Irrigation System (RIS), Ilocos Norte
NIA Acting Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Freddie M. Toquero with Embassy of Japan H.E. Ambassador KOSHIKAWA KAZUHIKO, JICA Chief Representative AZUKIZAWA Eigo and personnel, NISRIP Project Manager Silvino C. Navarro, NIA Region I Manager Angelito S. Miguel, Ilocos Norte IMO Manager Weynard Untalan, and IA officials at Solsona Diversion Dam
Ribbon-cutting of Madongan River Irrigation System (RIS), Ilocos Norte
Unveiling of marker of Madongan River Irrigation System (RIS), Ilocos Norte
NIA Acting Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Freddie M. Toquero with Embassy of Japan H.E. Ambassador KOSHIKAWA KAZUHIKO, JICA Chief Representative AZUKIZAWA Eigo and personnel, NISRIP Project Manager Silvino C. Navarro, NIA Region I Manager Angelito S. Miguel, Ilocos Norte IMO Manager Weynard Untalan, and IA officials at Madongan RIS
JICA Chief Representative AZUKIZAWA Eigo delivers his message
Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc delivers his message
Embassy of Japan H.E. Ambassador KOSHIKAWA KAZUHIKO delivers his message
NIA Acting Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Freddie M. Toquero delivers NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya’s message
Ribbon-cutting of Lumbaan-Bicbica Small Irrigation Project located at Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte
Unveiling of marker of Lumbaan-Bicbica Small Irrigation Project located at Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte
NIA Acting Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Freddie M. Toquero delivers his message
Solar panels of Lumbaan-Bicbica Small Irrigation Project located at Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte
Lumbaan-Bicbica Small Irrigation Project located at Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte
Inauguration of Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sur-Abra Irrigation Project (INISAIP) Building located in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
NIA Acting Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Freddie M. Toquero delivers his message during the inauguration of INISAIP Building
**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
