NIA, Quezon City - The National Irrigation Administration, on February 14, revealed that NIA is planning to increase its Community-Based Employment Program (CBEP) this year along with its thrust to build more irrigation projects nationwide.Last year, the agency provided at least 66,340 employments where members of the local communities, where the project/s is being implemented, had their opportunity for an immediate employment.    Irrigation works include mostly of repair and maintenance of existing irrigation systems, repair of groundwater pump irrigation systems, climate change adaptation, Coconet slope protection, improvement of services roads, etc.NIA Corporate Planning Services Acting Manager Rogelia Dela Torre noted that the agency, last year, apportioned an estimated amount of Php 24.13 million for the said program. “Kasama dito sa program na ito both yung locally funded and foreign assisted projects natin” she added.Among the locally-funded projects are Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation Project Phase (CMIPP) II in Nueva Ecija which provided at least 4,426 local jobs and Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project Phase (MMIP) II in North Cotabato which generated 5,300 community-based employments. The Jalaur River Multipurpose Project (JRMP) II in Iloilo, one of the foreign assisted projects, delivered at least 1,787 jobs. Started decades ago, the CBEP has been a regular component of NIA’s…...

 NIA Central Office, Quezon City – National Irrigation Administration chief Peter Tiu Laviña, who is currently embarking on field visitations on various NIA regional offices, believed that the best way to effectively support our Filipino farmers is to know their situations and problems ‘first-hand’.Just recently, Administrator Laviña visited and inspected irrigation systems and facilities in Caraga Region, February 4-5. He also spent time talking to Irrigator Associations (IAs) both on communal and national irrigation systems.“Our challenge as of the moment is how we can strengthen our IAs with the recently approved No Irrigation Service Fee (ISF) policy”, he said.The Irrigation head assured each IAs that the agency (NIA) will continue to assist them through its Institutional Development Program (IDP). He even acknowledged the vital role of IAs for a peaceful and organized implementation of the policy (No ISF).Started last month, Administrator Laviña visited Regions IX, CALABARZON, Negros Island, and 6. His objectives were clear; he wanted to educate and inform all NIA employees and officials about the direction of the agency thru his 4-point agenda, to personally listen to the problems of our farmers, and to inspect the physical conditions of irrigation systems and facilities.“Sa suntok ng pagbabago, knock-out ang…...

 National Irrigation Administration, Quezon City – NIA Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña, today, orders all the National Irrigation Administration – Central, Regional, and Project Offices to publish all the ongoing and proposed irrigation systems for 2017 in their respective regions.This is  one of the new administration thrust to inform the public about the current endeavors of the agency. “I would like to make available to the public the lists of projects in their areas of  jurisdiction” he added.Administrator Laviña said that this transparency effort is in support with the current government’s aim to regain the trust and confidence of the public.“This will help promote open and transparent governance and likewise dispel speculations that NIA is keeping the list to favor certain contractors”, he clarified.The NIA chief also directed all the Regional Managers to timely post all the irrigation projects for bidding on Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PHILGEPS) and increase efforts to encourage more contractors to join project/s bidding....

  (Left): NIA Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña delivers his message stating his four-point agenda. (Right) NIA MIMAROPA Acting Regional Manager Ramon A. Bugacia welcomes Administrator Laviña on his first time visit in the region. Oriental Mindoro - New National Irrigation Administration Chief Peter Tiu Laviña presents his four-point agenda during his visit in MIMAROPA on January 19, 2017. These are: implementation of free Irrigation Service Fee (ISF), undertaking of irrigation projects, harnessing water resources for hydropower, and institutional review of mandate, programs and activities of the agency.During his meeting with the NIA MIMAROPA Regional Office staff headed by Acting Regional Manager Ramon A. Bugacia, Mindoro Oriental-Marinduque-Romblon (MOMARO) Irrigation Management Office headed by Acting Division Manager Lowell L. Lozano and representatives of Federation of Irrigators’ Association of Baco-Bucayao RIS and Pula Bansud RIS headed by Mr. Calixto Isla, Administrator Laviña stated the thrusts of NIA in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s goals.“Kaya ang pinaabot natin sa ating mga farmer beneficiaries ay shared responsibility of operations and maintenance ng ating systems. Bagama’t libre ang ating tubig, hindi naman libre ang ating facilities.” emphasized Administrator Laviña in his message. “Tutulungan natin ang mga Irrigators Association na mas mapalakas pa ang kanilang hanay.”With the…...

 NIA, Quezon City – NIA Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña, last week, issued cautionary letter among the contractors who were behind the target date of the agreed project completion. This is in line with the new administration thrust to efficiently improve the existing irrigation facilities in a timely manner.“Among my mandate is to give higher priority to the increase of irrigation area through rehabilitation of existing irrigation facilities”, Administrator Laviña noted.The concerned contractors which attained very low or poor physical accomplishments as of December 2016 were given a warning by Office of the Administrator to urge them to improve their contract performances.They were also directed to come up with their respective catch-up plans to address the delays. “We are giving you (contractors) 30 calendar days to submit your firm’s commitment to complete the obligated works as specified in the contract”, Laviña added.Just recently, the Irrigation Chief told all the contractors dealing with NIA that he will not hesitate to suspend all the contractors who will fail to meet their obligations and will use sub-standard materials for the projects.“We will impose necessary actions in accordance with the provisions in the contract documents once they failed to adhere to their obligations”, he said.Meanwhile,…...