NIA Discusses Hydropower Project
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) under the directive of Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Secretary Francis N. Pangilinan, held a one-day Orientation on the Implementation of Hydropower Projects for the agency’s Regional Offices last June 3, 2014 at the 5th Flr. Building A of the NIA Complex in Edsa, Diliman, Quezon City.
NIA discusses hydropower project – National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Claro Maranan (second from left) discuss the importance of hydropower during a one-day Orientation on the Implementation of Hydropower Projects for the agency’s Regional Offices last June 3, 2014 at the 5th Flr. Building A of the NIA Complex in Edsa, Diliman, Quezon City. Also in the photo are NIA Hydropower and Other Special Water Development Projects Group Chairman Engr. Vicente Galvez (left), Senior Deputy Administrator Felix Razo (second from right) and NIA Hydropower and Other Special Water Development Projects Group Vice Chairman Atty. Genever Dionio (right).
The activity was organized by the NIA’s Hydropower and Other Special Water Development Projects Group headed by its Chairman Assistant Administrator Vicente E. Galvez and hosted by Technical Secretariat Ms. Aubrey R. Sarmiento to brief Regional Managers and their focal persons on the potential benefits of utilizing hydropower to generate electricity that would benefit farmers and rural communities as well as to provide income for the agency.
NIA Administrator Claro V. Maranan who pursued this new venture for the agency has stressed the potential benefits of harnessing hydropower as one of his top priorities. “We should present and prioritized this to the Board of Directors meeting within June 2014 so we can take-off as to meet our target for CY 2014,” he said.
Hydropower projects for energy generation was based on Presidential Decree No. 552 dated September 11, 1974 that amended and expanded the powers and objectives of the NIA that can be seen in Section 2.C which states that the Agency was created to achieve the optimum utilization and control of water resources primarily for Irrigation purposes, secondarily for Hydraulic Power Development and for Domestic Water supply and others.
The NIA Hydropower committee started their operation on March 7 of this year and set their objectives as follows: 1. To Prepare a comprehensive list of potential hydropower sites; 2. To Investigate project sites/determine initial feasibility; 3. To Evaluate and process eligibility requirements/submission of potential private developers; 3. To Contribute to energy security at a lower cost and 4. To Guarantee NIA’s sustainable operations in support to other agricultural and water services.
Senior Deputy Administrator Felix M. Razo on his inspirational message said that NIA would become productive by establishing hydropower in the National Irrigation System that will become another source of income for the Agency.
During the orientation, AA Galvez presented the background and status of the Hydropower Development Program, plans and updates on potential hydropower sites. He also reported on the results of the coordination meeting with the Department of Energy and National Water Resources Board.
Engr. Mario H. Sande who is a member of the committee explained the procedures on Implementation Framework, Procurement Process and Financial Plan. Legal matters concerning the project were also presented and discussed by Committee Vice-Chairman Atty. Genever M. Dionio.
As of May 2014, a total of 336 potential sites have been identified with 251 sites in Luzon, 37 sites in Visayas and 48 sites in Mindanao with an initial 74,040 Megawatts and will generate a possible income of 1.85B. Site validation and assessment will be conducted by AA Galvez in Luzon, Operations Department Manager Efren S. Roqueza and Atty. Dionio in Visayas and Engineer Sande in Mindanao.
NIA discusses hydropower project – Department Managers, Regional Managers and their focal persons listen to a presentation during a one-day Orientation on the Implementation of Hydropower Projects for the agency’s Regional Offices last June 3, 2014 at the 5th Flr. Building A of the NIA Complex in Edsa, Diliman, Quezon City. Also in the photo are (panel, l-r) Committee members Engr. Mario Sande, Ms. Virginia Atienza, Committee Chairman Engr. Vicente Galvez, Senior Deputy Administrator Felix Razo and Engr. Efren Roqueza. (right).