Cauayan, Isabela - Secretary Francis "Kiko" N. Pangilinan, Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization praised the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System for its focus not just on rice production but on the farmers' income.with Secretary Francis "Kiko" N. Pangilininan in the photos are MARIIS OM Mariano G. Dancel, Administrator Florencio F. Padernal (hidden) and Confederation of Irrigators Associations in MARIIS President Nemesio S. Yadao.On his July 26, 2014 visit, during the MARIIS celebration of the National Irrigation Administration's 51st Anniversary and awarding ceremony of the system's top performers, Sec. Pangilinan commended MARIIS Operations Manager Mariano G. Dancel for including the farmers' income in his presentation. He said that most presentations he had seen so far only include irrigated areas, equipment, fund allocation and it was the first time that the farmers' income was reported. "While NIA focuses on increasing the area of irrigated lands, it must always be in tandem with increasing the farmers' income," he added. He said having 3-4 harvests a year does not matter if our farmers earn the same and continue to live a hard life. He shared what his then 9-year old daughter told him that we should treat farmers the same way…...

National Irrigation Administration's newly appointed Administrator visits NIA Region VI for the first time. Despite the heavy rains brought about by an impending storm, Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, in his rain boots, braved the downpour and mud in order to visit the project sites of Barotac Viejo Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (BVSRIP) in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) in Calinog, Iloilo, and Aganan Dam in San Miguel Iloilo.At the Aganan Dam site, NIA Region VI Regional Irrigation Manager Engr. Gerardo P. Corsiga, NIA Region VI personnel, Mayor Dunstan Claudio Sale of the Municipality of San Miguel, and Irrigators' Associations of Iloilo-Guimaras River Irrigation System held a short dialogue with the Administrator. In his message, Admin Padernal said the he will develop a case study based on JRMP II and BVSRIP to replicate in other parts of the country. He also promised to help the IAs build good IA offices complete with tables and chairs. The IAs presented their certificate of commitment and appreciation to the new NIA Administrator. The event also became a venue to Turn-over the Checks to IMT/IA Performers. For Clearing Remuneration for one clearing period, PD Monfort IA of Jalaur Extension…...

National Irrigation Administration Region VI and Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) held its Stakeholders' Forum and MOA signing for the Security Framework of JRMP II and Panay River Integrated Development Project (PRBIDP) at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol. The said event was attended by Gov. Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. of the Province of Iloilo, Gov. Victor A. Tanco of the Province of Capiz, Dr. Raul N. Banias, Iloilo Provincial Administrator, BGen Arnold M. Quiapo, Brigade Commander, 3rd IB, PC Supt Josephus Angan, Regional Director, PRO 6, Atty. Dennis Ventilacion, Provincial Legal Officer, Mayor Alex Centena of the Municipality of Calinog, Iloilo, Mayor Rosemarie gardosse of the Municipality of Tapaz, Capiz, Consultants from the Korean Rural Community (KRC) and the stakeholders from the barangays affected by the highline canal and new areas. The event became a venue to present to the stakeholders the several aspects and benefits of JRMP II and a chance for an open forum to discuss the queries and issues regarding the project....

In line with his aim to fast-track project implementation to increase the country's irrigated areas, NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal visited the NIA Field Offices in Region 1 and Region 3 on July 18, 2014 to personally assess the status of NIA's big-ticket projects including the Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project (ARIIP) in Pangasinan and the soon-to-be constructed Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project (BBMP) in Tarlac. He also met with the regional and project officials to discuss strategies to expedite the implementation of irrigation projects.NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, together with ARIIP Project Manager Reynaldo C. Mencias, PM Dexter Patrocinio, and NIA Region 1 Manager Vicente R. Vicmudo, inspects the newly constructed Agno River Irrigation System Re-regulating Pond (ARRRP) in San Manuel, Pangasinan (inset photo). The pond (background) serves as the catch basin of water released from San Roque Multipurposed Dam power operation. When fully operational, the ARRRP will irrigate about 34,450 hectares benefitting 18,207 farmers to seventeen (17) municipalities and one city in the Province of Pangasinan.NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal (second from right) visits the Resettlement Area in San Jose, Tarlac for the affected households when the construction of the Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project starts. With him is Project Manager Dexter…...

Barely a week after the appointment of Hon. Florencio F. Padernal as NIA administrator, he surprised the farmers and NIA employees in Negros Occidental by his unannounced visit where he demonstrated a fast-paced and more responsive NIA services. Armed only with a camera, tablet and stored knowledge and experiences, the Administrator squeezed his time and attended a dialogue with the farmers, inspected the Bago River Irrigation System, participated in the Pre-Construction Conference, visited a communal irrigation system and conducted a meeting with the contractors. The productive dialogue with the farmers yield optimism. The administrator noted the farmers concerns on poorly maintained irrigation roads, delayed repair of damages caused by typhoons, excessive water conveyance losses due to earth canals and the threats on water shortage due to water permit applications of private persons to draw water from Bago River. These concerns were put in writing and hand carried by the administrator who traveled alone. As an engineer himself, the administrator quickly noted interventions that should be done to further improve the delivery of services when he personally inspected the irrigation systems. He said, he would include in his targets the installation of CCTVs in major dams across the country for efficient…...