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.Administrator Visaya said that ecotourism is a concept that provides a “win-win” situation.“Aside from…...

 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.“Sa Senate kasi ang sinasabi…...

 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 2nd 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 6th 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....

 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.The Agency is set to meet the Senate…...

 Bangkok, Thailand, 2017- SIMA ASEAN Thailand 2017- The southeast Asian Agri-Business show, 3rd 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.National Irrigation Administration, one of the government agencies in the Philippines, is responsible for providing efficient irrigation services through maximizing the country’s water resources to produce good quality rice and diversified crops and giving advanced technical assistance to improve the welfare of the farmers, their families and the…...