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NIA pushes P2.1-billion irrigation project in Mindanao

March 11, 2023, 2:59 PM

NIA Region XII – The National Irrigation Administration, under the leadership of Acting Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen, fast-tracks the completion of the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project – Stage II (MMIP-II) in the Municipality of Pikit, North Cotabato. Despite numerous challenges on peace and order, security, and natural calamities, the project is expected to be completed by December 2023.

Originally, MMIP was a P3.1-billion irrigation covering 13 barangays in Cotabato and four (4) barangays in Maguindanao with a target area of 10,840 hectares to benefit 4,549 farmer-beneficiaries. The project was intended as a peace-building measure and as a catalyst to improve the lives of the farmers and other stakeholders.

With the completion of the MMIP Phase I, a total of 5,562 hectares in Maridagao service area and 1,611 hectares in Upper Malitubog service area have been provided with irrigation service. With its significant socioeconomic benefits and opportunities through job generation from project implementation stage to agricultural production stage, the project was instrumental in transforming the previously war zone area to an economic zone.

Furthermore, the P5.133-billion MMIP-II which covers an area of 10,541 hectares is envisioned for the completion of the mega project including its missionary purpose of providing livelihood income to MILF combatants and generating peace and order in the Lower Malitubog area. Scheduled for completion in 2018, various challenges slowed down the project implementation for several years.

With the goal to complete this ‘peace project’ in 2022, MMIP-II was reinforced by NIA Region XII, spearheaded by Regional Manager Engr. Diosdado A. Rosales, with the support of the Local Government Units (LGUs), other line agencies, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Administrator Guillen supported the desire to complete the project as he visited MMIP-II project site and personally talked to the residents about the positive impacts and benefits of the project completion.

At present, residents cannot even plant corn because of the area’s susceptibility to flooding. Witnessing first-hand the plight of the people in the area, Administrator Guillen believes that investing more irrigation projects in the area will surely impact the lives of more MILF combatants and families as what happened to MMIP Phase I areas.

In consonance with the 5-Point Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Agenda of the President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. towards healing and reconciliation in the Bangsamoro, the NIA, headed by Administrator Guillen, aims to implement another P2.1-billion worth of irrigation project in the Lower Malitubog area to irrigate about 800 hectares of additional agricultural land. This coincides to the directive to prioritize, intensify, and accelerate the implementation of development initiatives such as irrigation facilities for the improvement of BARMM. With the objective of promoting peace and the spirit of bayanihan, the NIA continues its irrigation development thrust on war zone areas.

Once this project is realized, it will further boost the agricultural productivity in the area that would redound to achieving peace and order and socioeconomic development and ultimately improve the lives of our farmers in this part of Central Mindanao. Indeed, a legacy of peace and economic growth for the nation.

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For inquiries and/or clarifications, you may contact:

EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA

Department Manager A

NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff

Email: pais@nia.gov.ph

Landline: (02) 8921-3741

NIA Acting Administrator Eddie G. Guillen talks to the farmers of Pikit, North Cotabato about the positive impacts and benefits of the completion of MMIP-II.

NIA Acting Administrator Eddie G. Guillen talks to the residents of Pikit, North Cotabato to solicit their support towards the successful implementation of MMIP-II

An advocate of unity and bayanihan spirit, Administrator Guillen gets a chance to personally talk to a member of MILF with a heart of compassion.

NIA Acting Administrator Eddie G. Guillen together with the family of an MILF member in Pikit, North Cotabato

A WEALTH CREATION EXPERIENCE : ARDOMA, INC

March 11, 2023, 2:56 PM

NIA Central Office - The Association of the Regional Directors and Operations Managers of the Philippines (ARDOMA), Inc. held its conference in Ilocos Norte, Region I on February 23-26, 2023. The four-day activity was commenced by a meeting conducted at the Plaza del Norte Hotel and Convention Center, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. The highlight of the conference was the visit made by the ARDOMA, Inc. led by its President, Engr. Jimmy Apostol, to the Municipality of Piddig, Ilocos Norte. No other than the former chief executive of Piddig, currently, the NIA Acting Administrator, Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen, toured the group and unraveled the humble beginnings of their municipality.

Piddig, Ilocos Norte, a third-class municipality is nestled along a foothill offering panoramic views of fields and mountains. A once sleepy town known too as the historic town of Basi (sugar cane wine) revolt, Piddig was conferred recognition as Galing Pook Awardee at the Malacañang Palace, last November 22, 2022, a prestigious award of the country’s top performing local government units.

With no industry player to stir the economy, the town of Piddig was able to reduce its poverty incidence from 30% in 2010 to 5.59% for 2022. Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen championed several programs anchored on improving the lives of the farmers and aiming for inclusive and sustainable agricultural development. The National Convergence Project resulted to a flood control facility by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), rice processing center, and farm machines and equipment by the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Greening Program for coffee production by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). These all benefitted small holder farmers.

Engr. Guillen established the Revenue Generation and Land Administration (REGALA) System which intends to institutionalize the digital use of technology to identify the needed development of agricultural lands. The said system can be utilized by the Agency, cascading its benefits to the NIA field offices. Engr. Guillen further urges the Institutional Development Officers to help the farmers organize themselves to cooperatives. The cooperative will cater to assist farmers with their produce especially when palay is bought cheaper in the market.

Lauded for his outstanding work and unceasing commitment to improve the quality of life of tobacco growers, the former Mayor, encourage farmers to venture into tobacco farming and subsidize their capital input. Tobaco farmers are now earning P50,000.00 to P70,000.00 per hectare for their tobacco produce. Another breakthrough in agri-business development, the ARDOMA, Inc. were introduced with Piddig Wagyu Cross and Branded Beef Development Program, the program aims to upgrade the native cows in Ilocos Region through artificial insemination of Wagyu semen. Wagyu is the most sought after and luxurious meat in the world.

ARDOMA Inc, were privileged to witness that Piddig stands proud as the only town in the Ilocos Norte with its own radio station, DWCI broadcasting as 105.1 Adjo FM. Registered on Radio Pilipinas Broadcasting, the station is use to report missing people and things. During the pandemic, it was being utilized for distant learning.

Officials and members of the ARDOMA Inc were given the chance to meet and greet the eldest son of the President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the First District Representative of the Province of Ilocos Norte, Hon. Ferdinand Alexander Araneta Marcos III. The latter accentuated the group to give their committed support on the ideals of the NIA Administrator.

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Marcos Manotoc also welcomed the ARDOMA Inc. and acknowledged the dynamic leadership of the NIA Administrator. ARDOMA Inc were encourage to hand their pillar of support to Engr. Eddie Eduado G. Guillen.

Faced with the challenge to impart knowledge gained on their respective offices, the ARDOMA Inc., extended their deepest gratitude to one of their greatest mentor on agricultural development, NIA Acting Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen.

#bayaNIAn

#TuloyAngDaloyNIA
#NIA

For inquiries and/or clarifications, you may contact:

EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA

Department Manager A

NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff

Email: pais@nia.gov.ph

Landline: (02) 8921-3741

NIA supports Kapatid Angat Lahat for Agriculture Program

March 11, 2023, 2:44 PM

San Miguel, Manila – Witnessed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., NIA Acting Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with other government officials and Go Negosyo heads on the Kapatid Angat Lahat for Agriculture Program (KALAP) on March 6, 2023 at the Malacañang Palace Ceremonial Hall.

As a public-private sector partnership initiative, KALAP aims to promote inclusive economic growth using Go Negosyo’s framework of providing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) access to money, markets, and mentoring.

Together with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with Go Negosyo heads, National Tobacco Administration (NTA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the MOA Signing symbolizes the strong partnership of the public and private sectors to empower and scale up support for nation-building through the value chain integration of our country’s MSMEs, farmers, and fisherfolks to become more productive, profitable, sustainable, and globally competitive.

Also participating in the said program with Administrator Guillen were Zanjera Capannikan Treasurer Bobby Medrano, Piddig Basi Multipurpose Cooperative Chairman Felixberto V. Cid, Jr., Mr. Julio Tomas and Mr. Nolito Jacinto (IA Presidents from Ilocos Norte), UPRIIS Confederation of Irrigators Associations President Dante Lazatin, and Ilocos Norte Irrigation Management Office Senior Institutional Development Officer Remedios Galiza.

Leaving a challenge to the key implementers of KALAP, the chief executive said, “And it cannot be done unless the different sectors of society are working together, working together and trying to implement a plan with a common understanding of what is needed to be done, with a common understanding of what people need, without forgetting every part of that sector or that area of the economy.”

Under the leadership of Administrator Guillen, the Agency will embrace commitment, integrity, and professionalism towards the success of KALAP, for the wellbeing of the Filipino farmers.

#bayaNIAn

#TuloyAngDaloyNIA

#NIA

NIA Acting Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen signs the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with other government officials and Go Negosyo heads on the Kapatid Angat Lahat for Agriculture Program (KALAP) on March 6, 2023 at the Malacañang Palace Ceremonial Hall (Photo Courtesy: RTVM Presidential Broadcast and Philippine Information Agency)

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. delivers his message on the event. (Photo Courtesy: Presidential Communications Office)

Farmers from Ilocos Norte Irrigators Associations/Zanjeras, Presidents of IAs from UPRIIS, Chairman of Piddig Basi Multipurpose Cooperative, LGU Cagayan, and a Senior Development Officer of NIA Ilocos Norte Irrigation Management Office take photo with NIA Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen and President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. (Photo Courtesy: RTVM Presidential Broadcast and Philippine Information Agency)