National Irrigation Administration (NIA) head Claro V. Maranan reports that the damaged irrigation facilities inflicted by Typhoon Yolanda in Region 8 are now at 98% operational. This was during the flag-raising ceremony at NIA-Central Office on Monday, March 17, 2014. This was based on the two-day site visitation of The Department of Agriculture Secretary, Proceso J. Alcala together with the NIA Administrator Maranan in Tacloban. On the first visit of NIA Administrator on December 17 & 18, 40 days after Typhoon Yolanda, it was reported that the Regional Offices have already responded to the damages in irrigation facilities were at 50% operational. Since then, the operations on the irrigation facilities reached 70% in January 2014 and as of March 11, 2014, it was at 98%. Simultaneously, Dir. Romy Quiza also reported that the rice harvest is now on-going until April of this year. In a related development, Dir. Gerardo Corsiga added that the damaged irrigation facilities in Region 6 are now 100% operational. While the 2014 budget approval is still on process, Administrator Maranan was able to request realignment of around P140,000,000.00 for the Yolanda affected areas....

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso J. Alcala together with National Irrigation Administration (NIA) head Engr. Claro V. Maranan and Department of Energy (DOE) Usec. Ramon Allan Oca graced the ground-breaking rites of the Isabela Mini-Hydro power project, the Monggo sowing activity and The Harvest Festival in San Mateo, Isabela last March 4, 2014.   Administrator Claro V. Maranan joins DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, MARIIS Operations Manager Mariano G. Dancel and DOE Usec Ramon Allan Oca in the groundbreaking of the mini hydro power plant in Isabela. With them are LGU and JICA officials.During the program proper, DA Secreta   ry Alcala gave his message as guests of honor and NIA Administrator Maranan together with CIAM President Nemesio S. Yadao also delivered their inspirational messages. Other officials who attended the activities were, NIA Regional Manager Antonio Lara, San Mateo, Isabela Mayor Crispina R. Agcaoili M.D., Ramon, Isabela Mayor Wilfredo Tabag and Magat River Integrated Irrigation System Operational Manager Engr. Mariano G. Dancel well as representatives from Japan National Cooperating Agency (JICA). The Isabela Mini-Hydro Project will generate power through the run of the river and has a peak water usage of 3.0 cubic meters per second with an effective…...

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) chief Claro Maranan gave a keynote address during a general assembly meeting that was scheduled on February 10 to 13, 2014 at the Avenue Plaza Hotel in Naga City. The three-day activity was conducted by the National Confederation of Irrigators Association (NCIA) in cooperation with the NIA with theme "IA and NIA: Partners in Irrigation Development and Management towards Food Staples Self-Sufficiency". The said assembly is also in line with one of the administrator's Seven Point Program which is to build stronger commitment to farmers and other stakeholders whereas the agency visualizes a strong commitment to farmers for a lasting operation, understanding in irrigation development. Apart from stronger commitment to farmers, it also aims to improve the participation of Irrigators Association (IAs) in project implementation and in the operation and maintenance of irrigation systems and to show total commitment to the IAs for an administration of good governance and transparency. Aside from delivering his keynote address, Maranan also answered questions from guest and participants together with Governance Commission for Government Owned or Controlled Corporations (GCG) Commissioner Rainier Butalid. The scheduled activities of the NCIA, were: 1. Report from the President; 2. Presentation and Ratification of Proposed…...

National Irrigation Administration head Claro V. Maranan directed Engr. Julius S. Maquiling, the designated Assistant Administrator for Mindanao, to look into the allegations raised by Agusan del Norte 1st District Representative Lawrence "Law" Fortun in his recent privilege speech on February 2014. The Assistant Administrator will conduct validation on the status of the agency's projects in the Caraga Region. The said engagement is part of the NIA's effort to ensure that projects are properly being implemented and this is in line with the Administrator's Seven Point Program, The Rapid and Efficient Delivery of Irrigation Projects. Based on his privilege speech, Rep. Fortun spoke of the anomalous inconsistencies of the NIA's accomplishment report and its accomplishment. He also showed pictures of the alleged incomplete irrigation projects to the members of the Lower House that were the same pictures reported by NIA Caraga to be complete or near completion. The National Irrigation Administration will do the validation of the subject issues and will make the report ready out the earliest possible time....

Acting Regional Manager Ali S. Satol belies claims that the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) irrigation canal of the Siluay-Buayan River Irrigation Systems located at General Santos City was to be blamed for the recent flooding that hit Baluan, Lagao, San Isidro, Bula, and Mabuhay in that city. The increased dependence on irrigation canal has not been without its negative environmental effect. It proved right when the water, during heavy downpour, from the mountains surrounding Gensan directly goes to the rivers feeding Siluay River Irrigation System and Buayan River Irrigation System dams which then pass through irrigation canals overflowed because these canals are designed for irrigation. There are no drainage canals in the city so all the water coming from the mountains traverse irrigation canals, and these are not big enough to accommodate all the water crossing. Acting RM Satol added that NIA irrigation canals did not cause the flooding per se. It is then highly recommended that if there is a drainage master plan of the local government then it should be implemented soon. Every time the rain falls, the protocol was that the gatekeeper opens the sluice gate to allow the water going to the canals and to avoid…...