DSWD Central Office, Quezon City – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), in leadership of Deputy Administrator (DA) for Engineering and Operations Sector C’zar M. Sulaik and Engr. Gerardo P. Corsiga, Project Manager of Jalaur Multipurpose River Project II, received the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Good Practice Awards (GPA) 2017 for the Agency’s official entry under the category, “Resolving Recurrent Issues in Project Implementation”, held on March 07, 2018 at DSWD Auditorium, 4^th Floor, DSWD Central Office, IBP Road, Constitutional Hills, Quezon City.

The Awarding Ceremony is chaired by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary for Investment Programming Rolando G. Tungpalan. The Final Validation Meeting of the Screening Committee members was held on February 23, 2018.

NIA Isabela - The National Irrigation Administration and SN Aboitiz Power-Magat, Inc. (SNAP-Magat) inaugurated the 8.5-megawatt (MW) Maris Main Canal Hydroelectric Power plant, January 26, at National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Dams and Reservoir Division.

The MARIS Main Canal 1 HEPP project, located in Brgy. Ambatali, Ramon, Isabela, is the first hydropower plant constructed by SNAP thru its product innovation program.

Completed last quarter of 2017, the Php2.15 billion run-of-river plant started its construction in 2015 thru a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), between NIA and SNAP-Magat, for the development, construction, and operation of the then dubbed 8.5MW Maris Main (South) Canal Hydroelectric power plant.

In his speech, NIA chief Ricardo Visaya identified hydropower development as one of the current undertakings of the agency under integrated irrigation projects. He cited that there are vast opportunities for the country to develop more renewable energy sources thru efficient partnership of public and private sectors. 

January 11, 2018 – The National Irrigation Administration approved the construction of two irrigation systems in Luzon and Visayas area. The contract signing was led by NIA Administrator Ricardo Visaya, on Monday, at NIA Board Room Central Office. 

The construction of Bulo Earthfill dam and its appurtenant structures pegged at Php 632 million is under the Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) located in San Miguel, Bulacan. The said irrigation project will cover 570 hectares of agricultural lands in Brgy Malibay, San Miguel and Brgy. Kalawakan, Doña Remedios.

The NIA chief also gave the go signal for the construction of two (2) diversion dams of Aklan River Irrigation System (ARIS) located in Panay Island, Aklan. The irrigation project will generate an additional 594 hectares of new areas to the existing service area of 3,916 hectares being irrigated by the Aklan RIS.

Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco received the rice gift from National Confederation of Irrigators Association (NCIA). Present during the turn-over were (From L-R) NIA Board Member for Private Sector Mr. Gregorio Sarmiento, NIA Administrator Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya, NCIA President Silvestre Bonto, and NIA Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Gen. Romeo Gan.

Davao City - The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) gathered Irrigators Associations (IAs) nationwide for a policy engagement and Philippine Irrigation Knowledge learning with the theme “Rural transformation from Free Irrigation Service” held at Waterfront Insular Hotel, Lanang, Davao City on December 13-16.

The 2-day event highlighted policy updates on Free Irrigation Service as supported by both the Congress and the Senate. The 300 participants had their interactive learning exhibits and breakout sessions to share their knowledge about the processes related to innovation, including smallholder agriculture and family farming. An open discussion for the issues and opportunities was also conducted to address challenges and trends that affect irrigators associations.

NIA Central Office - NIA Administrator Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya approved the nine (9) Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) to seven (7) Hydropower Developers, December 22, at NIA Conference Room. 

The said MOU gave permission to the developers to conduct Feasibility Study (FS) on the development of proposed Hydropower Plants within several NIA Irrigation Systems.

As stipulated in the MOU, the said feasibility study is at no cost to NIA. It will also have an inextendible term of one year from effectivity.

Further, the memorandum does not also vest preferential or exclusive right to the developer/s to develop/implement the project upon the completion of the FS. 

“Wala naman gastos dito ang NIA. Wala din naman masisirang irrigation systems natin kasi part din ng MOU natin na ang developer shall not remove, displace, destroy any improvement during the course of the study”, said NIA Administrator Visaya.

NIA Caraga Acting Regional Manager Engr. Madante P. Ganotisi and Cabangahan Greenfield Farmers Irrigators’ Association Inc. President Melchor A. Sauro during the turn-over ceremony of Cabangahan CIP.

NIA Caraga - National Irrigation Administration Surigao del Sur Irrigation Management Office (SDS-IMO) turned-over the Cabangahan Communal Irrigation Project located at Cabahangan Multi-purpose Gym, Tago, Surigao del Sur on November 7, 2017.

The project is under the Extension/Expansion of Existing Irrigation System (EEIS) CY 2016 Fund with a total project cost of P23.6 million. It is set to irrigate 100 hectares of agricultural lands within the area of Tago, Surigao Del Sur.

SDS Acting IMO Manager Engr. Dexter A. Sablaon recalled the challenges faced by the project.

“One of them is that the plans were already prepared way back Calendar Year 2010, because the project was intended to be funded in the other program but unfortunately it was not realized”, he said

Engr. Sablaon said that about 65 farmers of Cabangahan Greenfield Farmers Irrigators’ Association Inc. will harvest the benefit of the said project.

NIA Central Office, Quezon City – The National Irrigation Administration is eyeing big irrigation dams as tourist destinations.

In one of his interviews, NIA Administrator Ricardo Visaya said that the agency is opening its door to Local Government Units (LGUs) and other private investors for future partnership in the usage of NIA-owned dams as tourist destination.

The NIA chief cited Caliraya Dam in Laguna as a perfect example for the plan. He also mentioned Bustos Dam in Bulacan and Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija which can serve as pioneer tourist destinations that can be duplicated in other areas.

“Hindi naman siya magiging sagabal sa primary function ng NIA which is irrigation. Gusto lang din namin na mabigyan ng iba’t-ibang options ang mga foreign and local tourists natin”, he added.

Though there is no detailed study yet, the agency is optimistic that this endeavor will allow its visitors to enjoy the nature while doing outdoor and team building activities like inland fishing, kayaks riding, bicycle riding, wall climbing, rapelling, etc.  within the area. A zip line structure can also be a possible attraction for those who are looking for some extreme adventure.

NIA, Central Office - The Upper house, during its plenary session on October 10, approved the Php 40.8 billion budget of National Irrigation Administration for 2018.

NIA Chief Gen. Ricardo Visaya believed that the 6 percent increase in agency’s 2018 budget will pave way to build more irrigation infrastructures that will boost agricultural productivity of the country.   

Bulk of the approved budget, or the Php 27.3 billion, will be for the restoration, repair, and rehabilitation of existing irrigation systems and construction and development of new irrigation systems.

Early September, the House of Representatives also gave its green light for the said budget.

Meanwhile, the Bicameral Committee panel sets clearer direction for the proposed free irrigation services act. The Congress and Senate, on October 10, agreed to settle differences on some provisions of the proposed law.

Senate Committee Chairperson on agriculture and food Senator Cynthia Villar admitted that there are disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill 1465 (Free Irrigation Service to Small Farmers Act of 2017) and House Bill 5670 (Free Irrigation Services Act).

Acting NIA Operations Manager Engr. Bayani Ofrecio, on one of free irrigation consultations, said that the house and senate bills differ on some provisions on condonation and corporate status of NIA.

NIA, Quezon City- Former Major General Romeo G. Gan officially assumed the post as new NIA Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance. 

Gen. Gan took his oath of office before Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco on September 18, 2017 in Malacañang Palace.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte appointed him to replace Estrella Icasiano after the latter filed her irrevocable resignation earlier this month.  

Deputy Administrator Gan was a former Commander of 2^nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division of the Philippine Army. He served as Commander of the Civil Relations Service of Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRSAFP).

Prior to his designation as the civil relations chief, he served as the Assistant Division Commander of the 6^th Infantry (Kampilan) Division based in Camp Siongco, Awang DOS, Maguindanao.

He is expected to bring to the position his expertise in leadership and management in administrative and finance. With his recent appointment, Gen. Gan will join his comrades Gen. Visaya (NIA Administrator) and Gen. Bagasin (NIA Senior Deputy Administrator) who are also members of the Philippine Military Academy "Matikas" Class of 1983.