NIA Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña graces the 1^st Flag Raising Ceremony of the agency this year at NIA Central Office, January 3, 2017.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is set to hold a national planning conference next week to chart its new direction with the implementation of the free irrigation promise of President Rodrigo Duterte.

New Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña told NIA employees during the flag-raising ceremony marking the first working day of the 2017 that the conference will be held on January 9-11.  He added that it will be attended by senior management officials coming from the Central Office, the regions and special project offices.

He said various focus teams will be formed thereafter to oversee the implementation of NIA's to fulfill a four-point agenda, namely, implementing free irrigation, constructing more irrigation projects, harnessing water resources for hydroelectric power and the institutional review of the agency.

“Sa bawat major na gagawin natin gagawa tayo ng focus teams, participatory ang magiging paraan natin that is why hindi lang manggagaling sa ating hanay ang magiging members nito”, he added

NIA Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña, together with MARIIS Department Manager Wilfredo C. Gloria, Region 02 Irrigation Manager Antonio C. Lara, and Cordillera Administrative Region Irrigation Manager John Socalo, visited the 8.5 MW MARIS Main (South) Canal Hydroelectric Power Plant Project currently being constructed by the SN Aboitiz Project

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela - New National Irrigation Administration Chief Peter Tiu Laviña visited the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System and the NIA-Region 02 Irrigation Management Office here in Cauayan City, Isabela on December 28, 2016.

Administrator Laviña who took office this month, met with the management and staff of the two offices.

He reiterated his four point agenda-implementation of free Irrigation Service Fee, undertaking of irrigation projects, harnessing water resources for hydropower, and institutional review of mandate, programs, and activities of the agency.

Together with MARIIS Department Manager Wilfredo C. Gloria, Region 02 Irrigation Manager Antonio C. Lara, and Cordillera Administrative Region Irrigation Manager John Socalo, Administrator Laviña visited the 8.5 MW MARIS Main (South) Canal Hydroelectric Power Plant Project currently being constructed by the SN Aboitiz Project.

(R) NIA Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña listened to the incoming initial reports on damaged irrigation facilities in areas hit by Typhoon Nina. (Left) NIA OIC-Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Engr. Lydia S. Esguerra together with (2^nd to the Left) NIA Operations Manager Engr. Romeo M. Lopez handed and discussed the reports to NIA chief, on December 27, at NIA Administrator’s Office.

National Irrigation Administration – NIA Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña headed the preliminary assessments of the initial reports coming from the regional irrigation offices affected by the recent Typhoon Nina at NIA central Office, December 27. 

According to the consolidated report, regions 4A, 4B, and 5 were the areas severely affected by the typhoon. As of yesterday, the damages caused by ‘Nina’ amounted to P25.14 million for crops and P49 million for infrastructure.

Operations Department Manager Engr. Romeo M. Lopez said the initial report showed that about 3,540 hectares of lands and 3,818 farmers from 4A, 4B, and 5 were affected. Some of the damages in irrigation facilities include; counterfort, diversion works, canal lining, river embankment, protection works, etc.

NIA Central Office, Quezon City – A letter from National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Investment Coordination Committee – Cabinet Committee (ICC-CABCOM) to National Irrigation Administration, on December 21, approved the requested ad referendum for Participatory Irrigation Development Project (PIDP). 

Approved requests include; (1) one-year and six months loan extension from February 27, 2017 to August 31, 2018, (2) reallocation of loan proceeds  amounting to USD 8.414 million, (3) increase in loan financing percentage for civil works from 72% to 100% and consulting services from 68% to 100%, (4) and revision in the results framework and appraisal document.

NEDA Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia noted that the approval is critical given that PIDP significantly contributes to the delivery of NIA’s outcomes in terms of construction and restoration of irrigation facilities.

“PIDP also supports the attainment of NIA’s performance targets thru project financing that need urgent confirmation”, he added.

NIA Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña welcomes the favorable decision of the committee. “Rest assured that NIA under my administration will provide necessary services and assistance within our mandate to respond to the needs of our farmers”, he said

(L) NIA Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña meets (R) Commercial Counselor Jin Yuan from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines.

National Irrigation Administration, Quezon City – Commercial Counselor Jin Yuan from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and Counselor Paul Hutchcroft from Australian Embassy in the Philippines, on separate time, met NIA Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña at NIA Conference Room Quezon City, December 22.

Administrator Laviña was overwhelmed with the unprecedented visit of the two high ranking diplomats. The diplomats talked about the smooth future cooperation between their respective countries and the Philippines in the field of agriculture and irrigation.

NIA Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña talks future cooperation with (R) Counselor Paul Hutchcroft of Australian Embassy.

They expressed their interest in supporting and helping the agency on upcoming irrigation projects that NIA will undertake in the coming years.

NIA Quezon, City – The newly installed NIA Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña vowed to fulfill government promise on Free Irrigation during the turnover ceremony held at NIA Grounds Central office, December 14.  

Administrator Laviña was warmly welcome by the NIA employees and officials as he delivered future plans and priorities for the agency.

Days prior to the ceremony, the new Administrator took his oath as NIA Board Member in Malacañang on December 6, 2016 with NIA Board Chairman Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. The latter also issued a nomination for Administrator Laviña as NIA Administrator and Vice Chairman of the NIA Board which was formalized yesterday during NIA Board Meeting in Malacañang.

Eager to work, he visited some NIA irrigation systems and Regional offices including Pantabangan Dam part of NIA's Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS) in Nueva Ecija, Bustos Dam in NIA Region 3, San Rafael Bulacan and Siluay River Irrigation System in NIA Region XII, General Santos City. He said that the early field visits gave him glimpse on the things needs to be done in irrigation sector.

Project Turn-over with Engr. Nestor M. Pastor, local government officials of Brgy. Balili, Valencia, Negros Oriental and NIA personnel (left-right).

NIA Negros Island Region - Negros Oriental Satellite Office (NOSO) together with the Local Government Unit (LGU) conducted the blessing and inauguration of Valencia/Balili Communal Irrigation Project last November 17, at Brgy. Balili, Valencia, Negros Oriental.

Balili CIP will benefit at least 42 farmers covered by the Balili Community and Livelihood Association (BALCOLA), Inc. The project will potentially irrigate 10 hectares of service area which can directly support agricultural productivity within the area.  

The project has a total cost of Php 2,500,000.00 under Bottoms up Budgeting (BUB) with an LGU counterpart of Php 375,000.00

Engr. Nestor M. Pastor, Head, NOSO expressed his gratitude for the support of local officials in coming up with a successful project implementation.

The local government officers were also overwhelmed for the unwavering support of NIA to their projects.

Negros Oriental Siquijor Irrigator’s Association 2015 Awardees with Jose Mari V. Medina (President, NOSFIA, Inc.), Ms. Rufinita Ada, Engr. Helen T. Lacpao and Engr. Nestor M. Pastor (Head, NOSO) (left-right).

Negros Oriental – The annual celebration of promoting better partnership and dependable relationship between the National irrigation Administration (NIA) and Irrigator’s Association (IA) remains a dynamic platform for agreements, discussions, and consultations between the two key partners on irrigation development of the country.   

The 10th IA Congress participated by the Negros Oriental and Siquijor Federation of Irrigators Association (NOSFIA) commenced on November 17, 2016 at Dumaguete Cathedral Credit Cooperative (DCCCO), Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

Guests from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Agriculture, (DA) and Civil Service Commission (CSC) were invited to share inputs about their programs and services with strategies on how to effectively administer their organization.

Project availment from the Provincial Government was highlighted by President Rose Mary Caunca of League of Government Assisted Federation of Irrigator’s Association Negros Occidental (LeGAFIANO).

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.

The National Irrigation Administration BBMP II together with the local government units and other government agencies work hand in hand to focus their effort to the affected communities as the project verge of its full-blown implementation before this year end.

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.

Tarlac 1^st District Representative Charlie O. Cojuangco and 3^rd District Representative Noel L. Villanueva gladly welcome the fresh development presented by Engr. Salazar. “We are happy that this project will bring an extreme relief for our constituents, especially our farmers and fisherfolks”, Congressman Cojuangco said.  

(Right) NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal chats with (Left) Commercial Counselor Jin Yuan of Chinese Embassy before leaving the compound.

National Irrigation Administration, Quezon City – Commercial Counselor Jin Yuan and Second Secretary Yang Ming from the Chinese Embassy here in the Philippines meet NIA’s top management headed by NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, November 3, at the NIA Conference Room, Quezon City.

The meeting was primarily to discuss a smooth future cooperation for country’s irrigation sector. “We are glad that the Philippine President Duterte had a very successful state visit in China” Counselor Yuan said. Following the recent state visit of President Duterte in China, he further emphasized that the next most important action of the economic partnership is substantial implementation.

“We believe that your country (Philippines) is one of the most important economies in Asia”, he noted. The Commercial counselor further shared his meeting with the NEDA to draw-up a 6-year economic plan for the Philippines.