R1-B irrigation projects in Luzon, Visayas approved

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has approved the construction of R1.002-billion irrigation systems that will benefit farmlands in Luzon and Visayas.

The contract-signing was led by NIA Administrator Ricardo Visaya last Monday.

The construction of the Bulo Earthfill dam and its secondary structures estimated at R632 million in San Miguel, Bulacan will be carried out under the Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP).

The said irrigation project will cover 570 hectares of agricultural lands in Barangay Malibay in San Miguel town and Barangay Kalawakan in Doña Remedios town.

Visaya also gave the go-signal for the construction of two diversion dams of Aklan River Irrigation System (ARIS) in Panay Island.

The irrigation project is expected to generate an additional 594 hectares of new areas to the existing service area of 3,916 hectares being irrigated by ARIS.

Likewise, the construction of a R370-million irrigation project is set to benefit seven municipalities in Aklan, namely Banga, Kalibo, New Washington, Malinao, Lezo, Makato and Numancia.

NIA said part of the contract includes supply, delivery, installation, and commissioning of steel gates under the ARIS improvement project.

Last Tuesday, Visaya gathered NIA regional managers, project managers, and central office’s department and division managers to unify the working force of NIA towards same goal and direction.

“We have to look back in order to know where we are heading to,” Visaya said as he wanted everyone to learn from the lessons in the past.

He highlighted efficient and effective project implementation by hiring more technical personnel to supervise various constructions of irrigation projects.

He also shared that the agency is continuously instituting transparency by conducting stakeholders’ forum, which involves local government units, national government officials, farmers, and NIA employees.

“As we navigate 2018, we will continue to come up with policies, strategies, and actions in the furtherance of our task,” he added.

The NIA chief pointed out that the R41.66-billion 2018 budget has been approved along with the implementation of the Salary Standardization Law 4 for the agency.

He believes that NIA is on the right track this year as it committed to better serve Filipino farmers.