June 2023

5 Jun 2023 - 10:42am
27 Jun 2023 - 7:48am
30 Jun 2023 - 2:15pm

NIA SUPPORTS MASAGANA RICE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

June 5, 2023, 10:42 AM

 
NIA Central Office – President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., as concurrent Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary, presides the Convergence Meeting for Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP) on May 31, 2023 at NIA Conventional Hall, 5th Floor, DCIEC Building, NIA Central Office.

Together with the various heads of agencies, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Acting Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen expressed his support to the agricultural industry’s thrust toward food sufficiency and food security as the NIA remains committed to its mandate of providing quality irrigation services nationwide.

As Food Security is the top-notch priority in the President’s 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, the Department of Agriculture’s Masagana Rice Industry Development Program was formulated with the objective of raising the level of production of important commodities including rice and strengthening the value chain from the farmers up to the consumers. The convergence initiative aimed to pool resources, share knowledge, and coordinate efforts to achieve sustainable rice production and uplift the lives of our farmers by increasing their income.

The ”cooperation, collaboration, and convergence” of the different stakeholders, such as national government agencies (NGAs), legislators, research institutions, Irrigators Associations (IAs), and the private sector is deemed vital for an integrated plans, program, and projects in advancing agricultural productivity of the country. During the Rice Industry Convergence Meeting, the MRIDP targets to reach 97.5% rice sufficiency in the country by 2028.

“The NIA vigorously pursues irrigation infrastructure projects nationwide as it is one of our opportunities for Wealth Creation for our farmers, the agricultural sector, and our country,” Administrator Guillen highlighted in his message.

This resulted to strengthening of ties through signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) between the Department of Agriculture and its agencies, NIA and DPWH, and with the private sector such as Nature Tech Innovation Group and Go Negosyo. All these convergence initiatives towards the effective implementation of the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program for rice sufficiency and food security.

President Marcos emphasized modernization and innovation in the agriculture sector to attract the youth into farming and agribusiness. “Napag-usapan din natin, speaking of new technologies, is bringing down the average age of the Filipino farmer. And to do that, again, we engage them with new technologies because they will be the ones who will operate those systems, those new technological systems. And that will make it interesting for young people to come into the sector,” the President said.

NIA Top Management Officials, Central Office Department Managers and Regional Managers, attached agencies and bureaus of the DA, national government agencies (NGAs) such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Landbank of the Philippines, National Food Authority (NFA), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), members of the House of Representatives, Irrigators Associations (IAs), and the private sector attended the said convergence meeting.

“Kaya natin ginagawa ito, hindi lamang para mapakain natin ang buong Pilipinas pero para pagandahin natin ang buhay ng ating mga magsasaka – disente naman ang buhay nila, mapag-aral nila ‘yung mga anak nila,” President Marcos added.

As President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. approved the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program, the NIA assures its commitment in prioritizing the welfare of the Filipino farmers through its continued irrigation infrastructure projects nationwide.

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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 and KRC sign MOU on Irrigation Development

June 27, 2023, 7:48 AM

 
NIA Central Office – NIA Acting Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen and Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lee Byung Ho signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on food security, disaster prevention, and climate change response on June 16, 2023 at NIA Administrator’s Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Building B.

The MOU Signing aims to foster cooperation between NIA and KRC in the development and implementation of projects related to water resource development and management, irrigation and drainage facilities improvement, and other related initiatives through Multilateral Development Bank, and Korean Government’s grants and loans, among others.

The areas of cooperation also include the exchange of experiences and technology in the fields of water resources, irrigation and drainage, and smart water management system. Exchange visits, education and training programs, seminars, workshops, and other relevant activities, as well as the exploration of additional areas of cooperation, will be organized. A Joint Steering Committee (JSC), composed of one co-chairperson from NIA and KRC with up to four member and one secretary for each party, shall be created to oversee the cooperation projects in the designated fields.

The MOU Signing is attended by KRC Chief Executive Officer Lee Byung Ho, Global Agriculture Policy Institute Chairman Lee Sang Mu, KRC General Director Kim Dong In, KRC Project Manager for JRMP-II Whang In Churl, and KRC Deputy Directors Lee Seok Chan and Choi Dong Hoon. NIA Senior Deputy Administrator Engr. Robert C. Suguitan, NIA Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph Lauren A. Du, and Mr. Jake Atienza Pineda, Chief of Staff Hon. Elizaldy S. Co, Chairperson of House Committee on Appropriations, were also present in the ceremony.

In his message, NIA Administrator Guillen expressed his gratitude to the Korean Government and KRC for being an active partner of the Agency in irrigation development.

“For more than seven decades, Korea has been an ally and a partner of the Philippines in socio-economic development. Some of NIA’s projects were funded by the Korean Government, either through a grant or loan agreement. Today, we will witness this partnership again as NIA and Korean Rural Community Corporation (KRC) sign this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster cooperation on various areas related to climate-resilient irrigation, infrastructure development, and food security”, Administrator Guillen said.

#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 Acting Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen delivers his message during the MOU Signing with KRC.

NIA Administrator Guillen signs the MOU in irrigation development with KRC.

KRC President Lee Byung-Ho signs the MOU in irrigation development with NIA.

NIA Senior Deputy Administrator Engr. Robert C. Suguitan signs the MOU in irrigation development with KRC as witness.

NIA Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph Lauren A. Du signs the MOU in irrigation development with KRC as witness.

NIA Administrator Guillen (right) and KRC President Lee Byung-Ho (left) during the Ceremonial Signing of MOU on irrigation development.

NIA Administrator Guillen (right) and KRC President Lee Byung-Ho (left) during the Ceremonial Signing of MOU on irrigation development.

NIA and KRC Officials during the Ceremonial Signing of MOU on irrigation development

P37.9-BILLION WORTH OF IRRIGATION PROJECTS NOW SET FOR PPP

June 30, 2023, 2:15 PM

 
NIA Central Office – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Board of Directors approved the further development and implementation of the three (3) priority irrigation projects for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) during the 992nd NIA Regular Board Meeting on June 29, 2023 at the NIA Board Room, 3rd Floor, Building B, NIA Central Office. The projects identified on this endeavor are Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sur-Abra Irrigation Project II (INISAIP II), Tumauini River Multipurpose Project (TRMP), and Upper Banaoang Irrigation Project.

Following the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between NIA and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center on its partnership to maximize the technical services of the latter in terms of NIA’s capacity-building for the utilization of various PPP modalities for irrigation projects, joint technical groups were formed and evaluated the initial 12 potential irrigation projects for PPP implementation. With PPP Center’s assessment and prioritization of projects for PPP, three priority projects were identified – INISAIP II, TRMP, and the Upper Banaoang Irrigation Project.

The P22.7-billion INISAIP II intends to irrigate approximately 11,100 hectares of agricultural land with Palsiguan River as the main source of irrigation water. The project is intended to irrigate sub-areas of the Province of Ilocos Norte such as Nueva Era, Cura, Madupayas, Pinili, Badoc-Sinait and Batac-Paoay through a network of link canals. Other planned purposes of the project include fish culture, eco-tourism, hydropower generation, and other recreational purposed which would help generate job opportunities for the community and constituents.

The P8.6-billion TRMP is a proposed project to expand the coverage of the existing Tumauini Irrigation System (TIS) to 32 barangays located in the Municipalities of Tumauini, Cabagan, and the City of Ilagan, Isabela. TIS was originally designed to potentially irrigate an area of 6,100 hectares however, only around 3,000 hectares are currently being irrigated. This is due to insufficient water-river runoff, especially during the summer season. TRMP includes the construction of the high dam, afterbay dam, and long siphon as well as the improvement and expansion of irrigation facilities. It will also provide other incidental benefits such as watershed management, eco-tourism, and infrastructure support for renewable energy, particularly hydropower and solar farm component.

The P6.6-billion Upper Banaoang Irrigation Project aims to construct an impounding dam with Malapaao River as its water source. With a potential service area of 5,000 hectares of agricultural land, the project is also designed to engage in fish culture and develop hydroelectric power projects.

With NIA’s pursuit in developing climate-smart, multi-purpose irrigation systems, and in increasing irrigated areas to contribute to overall agricultural productivity and attain food security, PPP is eyed to fast-track and expand irrigation development through private sector expertise.

Present in the recently concluded NIA Board Meeting are the Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Leocadio S. Sebastian, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Secretary Roderick M. Planta, NIA Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph Lauren A. Du, and NIA Central Office Department and Division Managers.

In support of the President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. plans in expansion of infrastructure projects through PPP, NIA, headed by Acting Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen, strongly pursues collaboration on PPP Program to boost the Philippine irrigated agriculture.
 
#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
 

NEDA Assistant Secretary Roderick M. Planta during the 992nd NIA Regular Board Meeting

Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Leocadio S. Sebastian and other officials joins virtually during the 992nd NIA Regular Board Meeting

NIA Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph Lauren A. Du attends the 992nd NIA Regular Board Meeting

Attendees of the 992nd NIA Regular Board Meeting on June 29, 2023 at the NIA Board Room, 3rd Floor, Building B, NIA Central Office

Attendees of the 992nd NIA Regular Board Meeting on June 29, 2023 at the NIA Board Room, 3rd Floor, Building B, NIA Central Office