National Irrigation Administration, Quezon City - More than hundreds of farmers and employees in agriculture sector gathered to witness the prestigious annual awarding ceremony in the field of rice production. 2015 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Award commenced on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at the Newport Performance Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila, Pasay City. Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala graces the event addressing the crowd with smile and gratitude. "Maipagmamalaki po namin na sa huling 5 taon, ang bansa po natin ang isa sa may pinakamabilis na pagtaas ng produksyon ng bigas" he said. Sec. Alcala claims that an increase of 2.28 percent in rice production from 2010 - 2015 was attained by the current administration and about 18.27 million metric tons was achieved last 2014. DA Secretary was overwhelmed with the support coming from the farmers and government institutions which are in one with the goal for rice self-sufficient country. In his speech, Sec. Alcala personally recognizes the National Irrigation Administration thru the stewardship of NIA Administrator Dr. Florencio F. Padernal for the sustenance in widening and strengthening irrigation support all throughout the country. He further noted that the success has been possible with the concerted effort from the…...

April 18, 2016, Bago City - The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region VI headed by Engr. Gerardo P. Corsiga, NIA-Negros Occidental Irrigation Management Office (NOIMO) headed by Engr. Lorena B. Sioco, Department of Agriculture (DA) Negros Island Region (NIR), Negros Occidental Provincial Government, and Bago City Government turned over farm machineries, equipment, and tools to Irrigators' Associations (IA) from the National Irrigation Systems (NIS) and Communal Irrigation Systems (CIS) within the Province of Negros Occidental in a Turn-Over Ceremony held at Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center.Representatives from 120 IAs from Bago River Irrigation System (BRIS), Pangiplan River Irrigation System (PRIS) and Communal Irrigation Systems (CIS) received Php3M worth of CY 2015 Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) Project from DA-NIR and Bago City Government and another Php3M CY 2015 Project Support from the Negros Occidental Provincial Government in the form of farm machineries and equipment. On top of this, 900 bags of certified seeds were also distributed to the farmers. Present during said turn-over ceremony were the Province of Negros Occidental Governor Hon. Alfredo Marañon, Jr., Bago City Mayor Hon. Ramon D. Torres, Vice Mayor Hon. Nicholas M. Yulo, DA-NIR Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulation Joyce Wendam, and…...

ILOILO City - Empowerment of farmers through inter-agency linkages is the solution seen by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) here to keep farmers resilient to Climate Change. Acknowledging the impacts of the very strong El Ni˜o on agriculture and food security, NIA saw the need to enhance farmers' capacity in adapting to erratic weather conditions. This will be achieved through various basic social services and livelihood interventions that will be tailored according to their needs. On April 14, 2016, National Government Agencies (NGA), Non-Government Organizations, and Officers of various Irrigators' Associations (IAs) across Western Visayas and Negros Occidental gathered at the Centennial Resort and Convention Center for the second Regional IA Congress. The event was a venue for NIA to discuss its proposal for an inter-agency convergence mechanism. This strategy will ensure the participation of other government agencies, NGOs and the farmer-beneficiaries themselves in the preparation of concrete plans for Climate Change adaptation. "We need to converge so we can together address Climate Change. . .it is not just us in NIA but we also recognize the roles of other agencies, NGOs and you our IAs in the development of concrete solutions to the impacts of climate change to agriculture…...

National Irrigation Administration, Central Office - President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the ceremonial launching of Angat Afterbay Regulator Dam rehabilitation in Brgy. Tibagan, Bustos, Bulacan on April 15, 2016. "..Mas maraming Magsasaka ang maseserbisyuhan, mas gaganda ang ani na matatamasa.." These were his encouraging words as he addresses all the Irrigators Association (IA) who are present during the event. Angat Reservoir provides the domestic water supply needs for Metro Manila.The President also impress with the performance of NIA today under the current management "Mas nagiging maayos na ang ating serbisyong patubig para sa ating mga magsasaka na isa sa ating pinagtutuunan ng pansin". He even thank Administrator Padernal for an efficient job with current plans and actions in the field of irrigation services which directly supporting the agriculture industry.NIA Administrator Dr. Florencio F. Padernal gives brief and clear explanation about the project including its optimum benefit among our farmers. "As you see, itong mga ginagawa ng NIA ngayon yung pag build, rehab, at improve ng mga dams and irrigation facilities will have a balloon impact in the future" he added. Dr. Padernal also discusses the scope of the rehabilitation works which will includes, (a) repair of the diversion dam…...

April 8, 2016 Caraga Region - P387-million was allotted for the rehabilitation of MAP Irrigation Project, which is damaged by calamities. MAP IP targets 1,200 hectares service area that will benefit the municipalities of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte and Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, 450 farmers from 8 Irrigators Associations (IAS) of Ojot River LAMMP Las Nieves (ORLAN) federated Irrigators under the leadership of Mr. Leandro R. Fabre.NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, OPAFSAM Secretary Fredelita C. Guiza and Engr. C'zar M. Sulaik led the inauguration and test-run of the P387-million Mat-I Amabacon, Pinana-an Irrigation Project (MAP-IP) in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.The AWRIS construction of closed conduit and siphon, targets to restore the original service areas of 5,550 hectares that will benefit the 24 IAs in Esperanza and Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur under the FIA President Mr. Fernando O. Meñoza. The P77-M project was completed last February 26, 2016 that helped 2,733 farmers return to their farming activities after being non-operational for 3 cropping seasons.Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (PAFSAM) Secretary Fredelito C. Guiza, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, and NIA Caraga Manager C'zar M. Sulaik, graced the inauguration and test-run of Mat-I,…...