NIA Central Office, Quezon City – The lower house, during its plenary session on September 11, approved the Php40.8 billion 2018 budget for National Irrigation Administration. The amount is higher by 6 percent than the P38.3 billion allotted for the irrigation sector this year.

Bulk of the approved budget, or the Php26.8 billion, will be for the restoration, repair, and rehabilitation of existing irrigation systems and construction and development of new irrigation systems. The agency is also eyeing to establish pump and special irrigation systems.

NIA Chief Gen. Ricardo Visaya previously said that the increased budget will be used to accelerate and complete ongoing projects and quickly develop and increase new irrigation areas.

“We want to increase the budget to fund the construction of our dams. We still have about 40.68 percent to be developed and we would like to fast track the development to help achieve rice self-sufficiency,” he added.

NIA administrator said that the congress’ approval is a welcome move for the agency to implement larger scale new projects, to continuously conduct project feasibility studies and detailed engineering, to provide adequate equipment support for operation and maintenance, and to protect watersheds of big irrigation systems.

Bangkok, Thailand, 2017- SIMA ASEAN Thailand 2017- The southeast Asian Agri-Business show, 3^rd edition of International Agricultural Business Exhibition & Conferences for the Agricultural Industry, in unison of COMEXPOSIUM from France and Impact Management Co., Ltd. together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives being held on 7-9 September 2017, 10:00-18:00 at Hall 5-6 IMPACT Exhibition & Convention Center and IMPACT Lakeside, Bangkok, Thailand.

National Irrigation Administration, The Philippines- as SIMA ASEAN Thailand 2017, the international trade show for agricultures suppliers aims to be one of the most effective methods to promote their model ‘Thailand 4.0’ to the whole agriculture industry, National Irrigation Administration, The Philippines, will serve as the Hosted Supporting Association. NIA will be associating the exhibition for the same intentions and purposes for agricultural development; to showcase the best practices for farming and encourage farmers to apply modernization and technologies into their daily work for the enhancement and increase of productivity.

NIA, Central Office – The National Irrigation Administration, on Monday, reiterated that the agency is fulfilling President Duterte’s marching order on Free Irrigation Service Fee.

More and more Irrigators’ Associations (IAs) are signing up with the new Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) contract which outlines core guidelines in the Free Irrigation policy. As stipulated in the contract, the agency will no longer collect ISF current accounts from the farmers.

“Totoo po na hindi na po nangongolekta ng bayad patubig ang NIA sa buong bansa bilang pagtugon sa kautusan ng ating Pangulo”, said Pilipina Bermudez, NIA spokesperson.

The ISF back accounts, on the other hand, are still subject for collection since no final ruling yet on whether the unpaid irrigation service fee will be condoned.

“Hinihintay pa po natin na mailabas ng ating kongreso at senado ang kanilang desisyon sa pagkolekta ng mga back accounts sa ating magsasaka”, she added

NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, earlier, said that the agency is having hard time collecting the said fee since some of the farmers and IAs are not willing to pay their past debts. But the NIA chief echoed that the agency did not impose any deadlines on paying farmers’ past account.

“Do what is right and legal”, said NIA chief Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya during his visit in NIA Caraga on August 23, 2017.

His first visit in the region outlined his 4-point agenda which  set as his guiding principles in leading the egency.

In his speech, Gen. Visaya strongly condemned graft and corruption which he said builds stain to the agency. He also warned some individuals who are using his name to extort money and gain favor among contractors.  

The Irrigation chief also emphasized that they should practice preventive and recovery planning to finish the project on time. “If you have a vision we should plan for it and achieve it”, he added.

He noted that the current irrigation equipments being used by the agency need to be modernize and improve to provide better irrigation service to the farmers.

The administrator also assured the employees that the management will provide whatever necessary to further motivate the employees to work.

Gen. Visaya  also provided time for a dialogue with the officers and Board of Trustees of Confederation of Irrigators Association in Caraga, Incorporated. (CONFIAC, Inc.) headed by President Felomino O. Buco.

The administrator ensured the continued assistance of the agency towards rice self-sufficiency of the country.

August 1, 2017 – The National Irrigation Administration secured the ISO Certification 9001:2008 after it successfully passed the two (2) stages of audit carried out by the third party auditors from AJA Registrars.

Included in the certification are NIA Central Office, NIA – UPRIIS Head Office in Nueva Ecija, NIA Region 4A Regional Office in Pila, Laguna, and NIA Quezon Irrigation Management Office (IMO) in Lucena City. It covers the four (4) major services of NIA - project implementation, construction of irrigation system, institutional development, operation and maintenance of irrigation system.

NIA Deputy Administrator Estrella Icasiano made the announcement yesterday during the agency’s flag raising ceremony.

“Na inform kami last week pa about NIA being an ISO certified. So nagbunga na yung pinaghirapan natin simula pa last year,” she added.

The Deputy Administrator recounted that the agency prepared for almost a year for the certification. She acknowledged everyone who gave their utmost effort to carry on the ISO 9001-2008 from preparation up until assessment.

“Dugo’t pawis natin ito kaya masayang masaya ako na sa huli na certified na rin tayo,” Icasiano said.

Visit SIMA ASEAN website at http://www.sima-asean.com/en/, for registration click here.

NIA Adm. Ret. Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya makes his first visit to NIA XI in Mindanao as keynote speaker in the Mass Turn-over of Completed Projects to Irrigators Associations (IA) and Awarding Ceremonies of Outstanding IAs and Achievers on July 14, 2017 at The Ritz, Garden Oases, Bo. Obrero, Davao City.

The NIA chief in his message stated that this government extended Free Irrigation Service Fee (ISF) for marginalized farmers to ameliorate their living conditions thru increased rice production. 

Emphasizing that rice productivity takes the efforts of government line agencies and the farmers themselves, he advised the Irrigators Associations (IAs) to use water wisely and effectively assuring them of NIA's assistance.  He informed the IAs that as private entities, they can collect dues from their members to support their own operation and maintenance activities.

There were forty-four (44) Completed Projects turned-over to the IAs represented by its IA Presidents in the ceremonial Mass Turn-over and signing of Acceptance documents.

NIA Administrator Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya entertains queries from Irrigator Associations (IAs) during his visit in BITO River Irrigation System (RIS), Javier, Leyte on June 9, 2017.

Administrator Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya showed support for the sincere thrust of NIA Region 8 management to continue the implementation of Sta. Rita Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) as he inspected the irrigation system on June 9, 2017.

Sta. Rita SRIP has been rejected by the NIA Board due to the delay of its construction and additional request of 109.7 million for the Land Acquisition & Resettlement Plan (LARP).

The management defended that it took them time due to right of way problems and sequence of re-inventory for crops and property damages at reservoir area. The management had difficulty in convincing the affected persons or families to be resettled.

San Jose, Tarlac - “Nagumpisa na ang maliwanag na buhay para sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Tarlac. Tunay na malasakit at pagbabago tungo sa kaunlaran”, those were the words of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. during the Laying of Time Capsule for (TBBMP II) Tarlac Balog-Balog Multipurpose Projects Phase II on July 18 at the NIA Campsite, Brgy. Sula, San Jose, tarlac.

Cabsec Evasco shared that President Duterte was happy about the improvement of the project. He added that the President looks forward to seeing the project completed and serving the vastness of Tarlac’s agricultural lands.

"This project (TBBMP Phase II) was once a dream but now it's a reality", he added.

He further encouraged everyone to maximize the opportunity that was given to them and asked the citizens to be vigilant as the project progresses and to report any suspicious acts or transactions related to the TBBMP II.

NIA Administrator Gen. Ricardo Visaya announced that the project is envisioned not only to provide irrigation but also power generation, livelihood, and boost eco-tourism. 

Cabinet Secretary Leoncio ‘Jun’ Evasco Jr. and NIA Administrator Gen. Ricardo Visaya led the groundbreaking ceremony of two (2) NIA Small Reservoir Irrigation Projects (SRIPs) in Region 7 on June 26. With them are NIA employees and local officials who took part to formally start the construction of Bonotbonot SRIP and Benliw SRIP both in Bohol.