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.

More than 380,000 kilograms of Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice were sold to members of the vulnerable sector across the country as the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) held the Grand Launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka Rice (BBM Rice) on September 13, 2024 in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen led the said event which was held simultaneously in all NIA Regional Offices nationwide. Data gathered by NIA Central Office reveal that 38,198 sacks of rice (10 kilograms per sack) were sold throughout the country. Caraga recorded the highest sales of 9,905 sacks, followed by Region XII (5,790 sacks) and MIMAROPA (5,634 sacks). These sacks of BBM rice were sold to the vulnerable sector composed of senior citizens, persons with special needs, solo parents, and members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). It became possible with the successful implementation of NIA Rice Contract Farming Program. The program is in line with the #BagongPilipinas and food security thrust of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

DZRH: DOS POR DOS - ADMINISTRATOR'S INTERVIEW 

DZRH Interview (August 1, 2024) – Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen shared updates on the progress of Contract Farming and status updates during Typhoon Carina. He assured that the damages were very minimal and would not affect crop production. As a coping mechanism during typhoon, the cropping calendar will also be adjusted to avoid the effects of changing weather conditions.

Through NIA’s Contract Farming Program, rice priced at P29 per kilo will be introduced through the Kadiwa outlets.

To stay updated on NIA's programs or our irrigation services, we invite you to:

PANOORIN: Noong ika-29 ng Hulyo 2024, isinagawa ang isang panayam sa DZBB 594 Super Radyo sa programang "One on One: Walang Personalan" na pinangunahan nina Connie Sison at Orly Trinidad, kasama ang Administrador ng Pambansang Pangisawaan ng Patubig (NIA) na si Engr. Eduardo Eddie Guillen. Tinalakay nila ang mga update at aksyon ng NIA ukol sa mga hakbang laban sa pagbaha.

Binanggit ang mga hakbang ng NIA upang maiwasan ang pinsala mula sa bagyo at pagbaha, kabilang ang pagpapakawala ng tubig mula sa mga high dam.

PANOORIN: Ngayong ika-15 ng Hulyo, malugod na ginanap ang panayam sa ika-85th na anibersaryo ng DZRH, sa programang Dos Por Dos kasama ang Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig (NIA) Administrator na si Engr. Eduardo Guillen. Sa makabuluhang panayam na ito, tinalakay ang mga pinakabagong update sa ahensya, kasama ang kanilang mga inisyatiba at proyekto na naglalayong maging self-sufficient ang bansa sa bigas.

Sa pagtugon sa layunin ng Bagong Pilipinas na maging rice-sufficient, ipinahayag ng NIA Administrator ang ilan sa mga programa at proyekto ng NIA, katulad ng pagbabago ng Cropping Calendar at ang Convergence Project na katuwang ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno.

“Yun po yung talagang crossroads ng Philippine agriculture tungo doon sa gusto ng ating Pangulo- na umunlad ang Bagong Pilipinas,” ani ni Engr. Guillen.

PANOORIN: Noong ika-2 ng Hulyo 2024, isinagawa ang isang panayam sa DZRH Dos por Dos na pinagunahan ni Anthony Taberna at Gerry Baja kasama ang Administrator ng Pambansang Pangisawaan ng Patubig (National Irrigation Administration) na is Engr. Eduardo Guillen upang talakayin and mga updates ukol sa NIA Contract Farming. 

"Maganda ang tubo ng pananim at masaya and ating mga magsasaka". Ito ang unang bungad ng NIA Administrator sa panayam. Ikinagagalak niyang ibinalita na inaasahang mag-aani ng bigas ang NIA mula sa tinatalagang 20,000 ektaryang lupain na sakop ng contraact farming ngayong ikatlo linggo ng Hulyo. Inaasahan rin na makokolekta and 50,000 tons na ani sa buwan ng Agosto.

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.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. led the Ceremonial Turnover of 148 units of various operations and maintenance (O&M) equipment on August 7, 2024 at Global Construct City, Mexico, Pampanga as part of NIA’s efforts to secure efficient irrigation project implementation.

With an aggregate cost of P782 million, the acquisition of new excavators, trailer trucks, and dumpers is the 2nd Tranche of NIA 3-Year Refleeting Program from CY 2023-2025. The heavy equipment will be used by NIA Regional Offices and Project Management Offices nationwide in the operation and maintenance (O&M) of irrigation systems, especially in canal desilting operations in preparation for Wet Crop Season.

Looking back, the 1st Tranche of equipment acquisition composed of 141 units of wheeled excavator was turned over to NIA Field Offices nationwide on December 13, 2023. President Marcos also led the ceremonial turnover at Subic Bay Maritime Authority (SBMA), Zambales.

During the pre-program, the symbolic keys of various equipment were handed over by SANY and Sinotruck to NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen and eventually turned over to NIA Field Offices nationwide, represented by NIA Region III Manager Engr. Josephine B. Salazar (Luzon), NIA Region VI Manager Engr. Jonnel B. Borres (Visayas), and NIA Region XII Manager Engr. Diosdado Rosales (Mindanao).