NIA Administrator Gen. Ricardo Visaya shares his plans and programs for the agency and farmers during his visit in Region 1 and Cordillera Administrative Region.

NIA, Quezon City - Irrigation Chief Gen. Ricardo Visaya met NIA officials, employees, and various Irrigators’ Associations both in Region 1 and Cordillera Administrative Region earlier this month.

The administrator was capped by a comprehensive briefing on irrigation development in Region 1. It was immediately followed by an open forum with the active participation of top-ranking IA officials and provincial irrigation management office managers.

Before proceeding to La Trinidad, Benguet, Administrator Visaya together with other officials headed to Bued Communal Irrigation System DAM 1 Service Irrigators Association office in Rosario, La Union to meet with the award-winning farmers.

"Kahit po wala na ang Irrigation Service Fee, ang NIA po ay magpapatuloy pa rin magserbisyo sa inyo (farmers). Patuloy pa rin po ang ating samahan para mas palakasin pa ang agrikultura sa ating bansa", Visaya said.

He then pledged P5-million to help finance the continuous development and repair of irrigation canal lining. The repair of said facility will increase agricultural produce within the service area.

NIA, Quezon City – A simultaneous signing of the Modified Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) contracts between NIA and 62 Irrigator Associations (IAs) in Bicol region was the highlight of the recently concluded 2nd Irrigators Associations (IAs) Congress in the province, earlier this week.

NIA Administrator Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya led the ceremony which was participated in by some 200 IA leaders from the six Bicol provinces.

In his speech, Administrator Visaya stressed that NIA will continue to construct more irrigation projects in the coming years to improve the farmers’ quality of life.

“Even wala na tayong Irrigation Service Fee (ISF), magpapatuloy pa rin ang ahensiya sa paggabay at pagtulong sa ating magsasaka upang mas mapaunlad pa ang kaalaman nila sa irigasyon”, he added.

As stipulated in the contract, the Irrigators have assumed the responsibility of clearing of lateral canals and the operation & maintenance of secondary irrigation structures and facilities in their respective areas of coverage.

NIA will pay the IAs an amount worth P1,750.00 for the clearing of  every 7 kilometers of lined or concrete canal and the same amount for every 3.5 kilometers of unlined or earth canal for a period of six months in a year. 

NIA, Quezon City – The National Irrigation Administration and Nascent Technologies Corp., yesterday, have agreed to develop and construct the 0.4 Megawatts (MW) Barit Irrigation Discharge Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEPP).

Approved by the NIA Board last March 2017, the mini-hydro project is set to generate at least 400 kilowatts of electricity. It is located in Brgy. Sta. Justina East, Buhi, Camarines Sur with the project cost pegged at Php27.6 million.

The project was awarded by the Department of Energy (DOE) under the terms of Renewable Energy Act of February 2, 2010.

NIA and Nascent, in 2012, had their re-negotiation to increase the service fee rate and the inclusion of water protocol to avoid flooding incidents in their respective areas of operations.

According to Engr. Edwin Ramos of CamSur IMO, the Barit Mini-Hydro will use the irrigation water being discharge to the existing RIDA main discharge chute and diverting it to the main power canal of Barit mini-hydro.

“It will directly flow to the power house to supply the needed full load flo

w to produce electricity”, he added.

As stipulated in the MOA, Nascent will pay NIA a service fee equivalent to six (6) percent of the gross revenue of the power station.

NIA, Quezon City - The National Irrigation Administration is currently embarking on the benefits of developing and constructing hydropower projects on its existing irrigation systems and future irrigation projects all throughout the country.

According to the previous studies conducted by the agency, there are about 357 potential irrigation sites for hydropower. This means that NIA aside from providing sustainable and efficient irrigation services can actually be an active partner for power generation.

Earlier this week, NIA Administrator Gen. Ricardo Visaya led the signing of MOA together with Nascent Technologies Corp. for the development and construction of 0.4 MW Barit Irrig. Discharge Hydroelectric Power plant pegged at P27.6 million.

The Irrigation chief cited Rizal Hydropower Project as one of the successful partnerships in hydropower development projects. The 1-MW hydropower started its commercial operation this year. It is located near the main canal of Pampanga River Irrigation System (PRIS), Nueva Ecija.

“This is part of the continuous effort of the agency to support the administration in providing more renewable energy sources that will not just only boost NIA's income but also will contribute to the provision of electricity in far-flung communities in the country”, he added

NIA Central Office, Quezon City – The newly appointed NIA Senior Deputy Administrator (SDA) Gen. Abraham B. Bagasin, yesterday, attended his first flag raising ceremony together with NIA employees. SDA Bagasin took his oath of office in Malacañang last week, May 8.

Prior to his official appointment, General Bagasin appeared in several key meetings of the agency including the recently concluded 3^rd NIA Managers’ Conference. He told everyone that he’s in his way of familiarizing the nature of work in his new assignment.

“Oo nga at may pagkakaiba sa dati kong katungkulan, magkaiba ang hangarin, magkaiba ang paraan at paninilbihan para sa bayan”, he added.

He also acknowledged the agriculture sector as one of the vital foundations of country’s emerging economy. The new SDA wanted to synchronize all the efforts to support the Filipino farmers in improving their lives.

“Alam kong marami pa ang kailangan gawin upang matupad ang mandato nati,  ngunit alam ko rin na pag nagkaisa tayo sa pagiging tapat at masigasig sa tungkulin mas madali natin maabot at matutulungan ang ating magsasakang”, he said.

NIA Quezon City – The National Irrigation Administration – Negros Island Region, last week, handed over at least twenty (20) Communal Irrigation Projects (CIP) during its Mass Turn-over Ceremony in the said region.

The completed projects are set to irrigate at least 6,000 hectares of agricultural lands in Negros Occidental and Oriental.

According to NIA-NIR Regional Manager Engr. Mario H. Sande the said projects will benefit 2,841 farmers and will improve their respective harvests.

“The youngest NIA regional office is committed to delivering quality service and continued support to the government’s advocacy in agricultural development”, he added. 

One of the irrigation projects turned over is the Php 108-million Dauin SRIS located in Dauin, Negros Oriental which was programmed to irrigate 1,000 hectares of agricultural lands. The system is set to benefit 685 farmers from Dauin-Hinalin-Lipayo Irrigators Association (IA).

During the ceremony, NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya emphasized that he is looking into quality irrigation projects for Filipino farmers. The Irrigation chief is also keen in modernizing irrigation services by providing additional equipment in its regional offices.

Former AFP Chief of Staff and now NIA Administrator Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya during the agency’s Flag Raising Ceremony held at NIA Compound, April 3, 2017

NIA, Quezon City - The new installed irrigation chief Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya (Ret.) talked about his plans and actions for the irrigation sector during the agency’s flag raising ceremony, April 3, 2017. The new administrator admitted that the nature of work in the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is way far than his previous assignment in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"It’s true that this setting is unusual to what I am accustomed back in AFP but I assure you that I have the experiences and resolve to learn the ropes”, he said.

The former AFP chief believed that the country is fortunate to have vast farmlands and that agriculture remains a primary feature to which our country face prides on.

“That is why we are giving tantamount attention to it (agriculture) by developing sustainable irrigation systems”, he added

After swearing in as the new member of the NIA Board of Directors before its Acting Chairman, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr., General Ricardo Ramoran Visaya (Ret.) was elected as the new Administrator of NIA during the 922nd Regular NIA Board Meeting held on 28 March 2017 at the Malacanang Premier Guest House. He will also act as the concurrent Vice-Chairman of the NIA Board.

Cabinet Secretary imparted some words to the new Administrator. Evasco said that “Leaders should lead and be accountable to its members.” He added that employees should “always transact in a very transparent manner, especially that we are in the government; ensure checks and balance, transparency, and accountability in government dealings.”

As Directors, he reiterated, “We simply facilitate. We plan the overall conduct of the agency by laying down policies and guidelines. Our role ends when the role of the Administrator in day to day dealings of the agency begins.” He noted, however, that the Administrator should always keep in mind that he is accountable to the Board in ensuring proper implementation of NIA policies and guidelines.

 
CALINOG, ILOILO – Ninety Indigenous Peoples affected by Iloilo’s biggest irrigation development project now have bigger opportunities for better lives. This as they recently completed skills training under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Through the strengthened partnership of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and DSWD, SLP was extended to the disadvantaged families of Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II). Through this, sustainable livelihoods, employment and interventions for affected families of government infrastructure projects such as the JRMP II are secured and ensured.

Sixty IPs completed training in Masonry and 30 others in carpentry. These IPs came from the directly affected barangays of the project such as Cahigon, Masaroy, Agcalaga, andAlibunan. On top of these, IPs from Guinbunyogan, BinulosanPequeño, Toyungan and Garanganalso availed of the skills training.

NIA Quezon, City – The payment of plant damages and other improvements affected by the construction of Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project Phase II - North and South Main Canal are continuously being processed.

As of to date, the agency said that about 970 families were affected and resettled as the project verge to its full-blown implementation. That is why NIA BBMP II together with the local government units and other government agencies work hand in hand to synchronize their efforts to help affected communities.

NIA Region 3 Manager and BBMP Project Manager Engr. Josephine B. Salazar, during one of the discussions with local officials, said that local executives claimed that much sought and long awaited construction of BBMP II is a green light for the unhindered development of Tarlac.

Smooth relocation of the Project Affected Families (PAFs) prior to the construction of Balog-balog high dam is in progress. Resettlement site development II, slope protection/riprapping, construction of core house, construction of community structures at San Jose area, and construction of water and electrical system at Mambog, Sula, San Jose, Tarlac are some of the construction activities under the resettlement program this year.