A Legacy of Serving Filipino Farmers

A Legacy of Serving Filipino Farmers NIA at 50

National Irrigation Administration

NIA_BOOK Jacket_0512.indd 3 7/21/14 12:00 PM

A L e g a c y o f S er v ing Fi l ip ino Fa rmer s

NIA at 50


A L e g a c y o f S er v ing Fi l ip ino Fa rmer s

NIA at 50

NIA at 50A Legacy of Serving Filipino Farmers

A special publication project of NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff.

EDITORIAL BOARDClaro V. Maranan, AdministratorFelix M. Razo, Senior Deputy AdministratorModesto G. Membreve, Acting Deputy Administrator for Engineering and OperationsLorna Grace B. Rosario, Acting Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance

Pilipina P. BermudezLuzviminda R. PeñarandaClarizze C. ToribioPops Marie S. DadeaLioneil G. dela CruzRemster D. BautistaArnulfo P. TomasAllan John O. ZitaRogelio C. Barretto

Copyright 2014 © National Irrigation Administration and Project Brio Media House

ISBN 978-971-95962-0-2

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part by any means without prior written permission from the copyright owners and publishers is prohibited.

Published byPROJECT BRIO MEDIA [email protected]

Executive Editor Jon P. AveEditor Ces RodriguezWriters Manny Espinola Antonio MaghirangPhotography Raneil IbayGraphic Artists Mario Sta. Maria Shannon Olaguer Research Assistant Jun Danganan CJ Brillantes

Printed in the Philippines

C o n t e n t s Preface .......................................................... 6

From the Administrators ................................ 9

Acknowledgements ...................................... 10

Photo Credits ................................................ 100

CHAPTER 1: Staying the Course for 50 Years 13

True to the Vision ......................................... 15

About the NIA Logo ....................................... 17

The NIA Building ............................................ 18

IAs and NIA: A Solid Partnership ................... 19

Flood Forecasting Saves Lives ........................ 20

Water Re-use ................................................. 21

NIA Literature ................................................ 22

Protecting Watersheds .................................. 23

Values Through Cultural Pursuits ................... 24

Other Potentials of Irrigation Dams ................. 25

Increasing Yields ............................................ 26

Leading the Way ............................................ 28

Landmark Dates .............................................. 30

Their Life’s Work, Their Personal Mission ...... 32

Past NIA Administrators ................................. 34

Antonio S. Nangel . ........................................ 35

Claro V. Maranan ............................................ 38

CHAPTER 2: Where the Water Flows 41

NIA CAR .......................................................... 42

NIA Region I ................................................... 44

NIA Region II ................................................... 46

MARIIS ........................................................... 48

NIA Region III .................................................. 50

UPRIIS ............................................................. 52

NIA Region IV-A .............................................. 54

NIA Region IV-B ............................................... 56

NIA Region V ................................................... 58

NIA Region VI .................................................. 60

NIA Region VII ................................................. 62

NIA Region VIII ................................................ 64

NIA Region IX .................................................. 66

NIA Region X ................................................... 68

NIA Region XI .................................................. 70

NIA Region XII ................................................. 72

NIA Region XIII ................................................ 74

CHAPTER 3: The Strength of Partnerships 77

Daloy Magat: Sustainable Water Use for All ... 79

First Generation Hydro Power Company ........ 88

Sponsors ........................................................ 94

2-3: Magat Dam. 4-5: Portion of Addalam Dam in San Leonardo, Aglipay, Quirino Province. 6-7: Andanan Wawa Dam,

Sibagat,Agusan Sur. 8-9: Magat Dam’s Spillway. 10-11: Cong Dadong Dam, Arayat, Pampanga.

PrefaceIrrigation plays a large role in a country like the Philippines where almost 75 percent of

our land is dedicated to agriculture and other related industries. From the northernmost to the farthest islands in the south, rice fields abound. In turn, rice sustains the physical, economic, and socio-cultural wellbeing of most of the population. Given the vital importance of irrigation, it seems fitting to chronicle the 50-year existence of the National Irrigation Administration and the role it played in significantly contributing to the agricultural development of the Philippines.

This book is a succinct overview of the milestones that have made the agency a central partner in nation building. It traces NIA’s humble beginnings as a division in the now defunct Bureau of Public Works to its establishment as a distinct agency in 1963 to its gradual transformation as the best irrigation agency in Asia. The book also looks into how NIA became a primary catalyst of change in rural communities leading to the general growth and improvement of the country.

Aside from the agency’s colorful and meaningful history, the book also shines the spotlight on the field offices that perform the frontline duties of grounding the irrigation projects and programs. It also features the major irrigation projects and systems that have revolutionized farming in the Philippines, from being a seasonal endeavor to becoming a year-round activity.

The book also gives due recognition to the agency’s partners for life, the irrigators associations that maintain and ensure that the dams and systems erected at their behest serve them optimally.

Beyond its mandate, NIA has taken on advocacies that lay the groundwork for a sustainable future, such as nature conservation, watershed management, and eco-tourism. The book also presents the agency’s endeavors in employee welfare, including cultural activities that tap employee creativity and sportsmanship and reinforce NIA’s core values such as teamwork, dependability, discipline, commitment, and working together toward common goals.

NIA would not be the robust agency it is today without its partners in the private sector. Their sustained cooperation has bolstered NIA’s efforts in bringing measures of prosperity to farmer beneficiaries and strengthening the agricultural sector in general.

For 50 golden years, NIA has steadfastly concretized its mandate to develop irrigation in the Philippines. We hope the book you now hold succeeds in capturing the excellence, commitment, and sincere public service that NIA has always strived for in its quest to improve irrigation and agriculture in the Philippines. Even as we look back on the last 50 years, NIA’s eyes are set on what lies ahead because more needs to be done—in delivering irrigation efficiency, sustained development in agriculture, and a future always rife with promise.●

From the Administrators

NIA @50, A Legacy of Serving Filipino Farmers is a comprehensive narration of the Agency’s achievements through images and illustrations collated from NIA’s inception to its grandiose irrigation projects throughout the country. It shows the capable leadership of people who have steered our Agency in to its great accomplishments.

We have encapsulated here the founding of NIA and the vision of our early leaders in developing sustainable water resources for irrigation nationwide. It underscores our natural watershed, its values through cultural pursuits, and ecotourism potential. It also illustrates the fifteen regions and two integrated irrigation systems offices of NIA and their accomplishments. We highlight the valuable partnership NIA has forged for the betterment of the Agency, its farmer stakeholders, and most of all our country.

This book celebrates the achievements and successes of the National Irrigation Administration as well as the setbacks, hardships and triumphs it underwent for the past half century. The challenges of the next 50 years we need to meet head on. We presented the 7-Point Program as the first level organizational initiative to get to “desirable ends with available means.” This will provide creative and speedy solutions to the vital situations that NIA is facing. We have to rally the support of employees and officers in carrying out the change strategy and present the program for our commitment to continuing improvement.

Every obstacle, we conquered. Every hurdle, we passed. Every risk, we challenged. Every hardship, we triumphed. This is for the new NIA.●

CLARO V. MARANAN

Agriculture is a vital factor in feeding the nation. On the other hand, irrigation is a key element in ensuring productive agricultural output. Therefore, irrigation is essential in ensuring food for the country.

The establishment of the National Irrigation Administration 50 years ago is a crucial initiative in boosting not only agriculture but also the socio-economic stability of the country. For half a decade, NIA has fulfilled its mandate to develop irrigation systems for the striving agricultural sector. And yes, the agency lived up to the expectation and has been considered as the “best irrigation agency in Asia.”

Putting into paper all of NIA’s achievements in terms of irrigation and institutional development is a testament on what the agency contributes in nation building. This is also a stepping stone for future NIA leaders in setting perspectives for the ensuing years.

NIA at 50: A Legacy of Serving Filipino Farmers will not just be an addition to our shelves, but a tangible proof, affirmation, and undying pledge to uplift the lives of every Filipino farmer and propel agriculture to greater heights.

Mabuhay ang National Irrigation Administration! Ipagpatuloy natin ang lahat ng ating nasimulan para sa kaunlaran ng ating bansa!●

ANTONIO S. NANGELAdministrator, 2010 - 2013

AcknowledgementsThis publication would not have been possible without the cooperation and kindness of many companies and individuals. NIA PAIS and Project Brio Media House would particularly like to thank Mr. Claro V. Maranan and Mr. Antonio S. Nangel, the present and immediate past administrator of National Irrigation Administration, Regional Irrigation Managers , Operations Manager, Project Managers and Public Relations Officers of all NIA offices nationwide, and to all sponsors for their active support.

Special thanks also go to the following people who served as resource persons for topics covered in this book or made possible visits to regional offices: NIA HQ: Engr. Bonifacio S. Labiano, Bayani Ofrecio, Efren Roqueza. NIA Region II: Vicente E. Galvez, Angel T. Bacoling, Jr., Gualfredo C. Martinez, Wilbert L. Galamay, Engr. Francis C. Yu, Nenita P. Garcia, Ramon R. Fabros, Engr. Wilfredo U. Salvador, Estanislao R. Najera, Gilieu Michael Dimoloy, Francisco A. Domingsil, Roland V. Apaga, Dorothy Belle de Leon, Jonathan Dangan.NIA MARIIS: Mariano G. Dancel, Wilfredo C. Gloria, Jose G. Soliven, George P. Lacasandile, Florante Bautista, Nemesio S. Yadao, Saturnino T. Tenedor, Pedro M. Dalawampu, Eduardo P. Ramos, Antonio A. Cruz, Eduardo Pasion, Melissa Agbisit, Del Catherine I. Damatan. UPRIIS: Josephine B. Salazar, Carlito M. Gapasin, Gigi A. Geronimo, Maria Isobel F. Padolina, Rafael D. Verdadero. Judylin B. Felipe, Lolita E. Valeroso, Gloria sa Bagong Milenyo IA, Inc., Ubbog ti Biag IA, Inc. NIA Region III:

Reynaldo D. Puno and staff, Roberto E. Pascual and staff, Virgilio J. Ilao and staff, Elliz V. Bitangcol.●

Staying the Course for 50 Years

The story of creating an agency to build irrigation systems in the Philippines began with devastation and a dream. Finding itself on Ground Zero at the end of the Second World War, the Philippines rolled up its sleeves to clear the rubble and carve a path to the future. It was a road that led to milestone after milestone, from barebones national survival to the dream of freedom from want—especially for the rural countryside where 70 percent of the population lived. Support was essential for agriculture, the main source of livelihood for the majority of Filipinos. Support meant ensuring self-sufficiency in rice and, in concrete terms, support for good harvests. The National Irrigation Administration was on the forefront of this support, evolving with the times as it established irrigation systems nationwide that are environmentally sound, socially acceptable, strategically located, and locally managed.

13STAYING THE COURSE FOR 50 YEARS

CHAPTER I

14 NIA AT 50


t the end of the Second World War, national survival was at the heart of the rebuilding process from wartime devastation. Freedom from want became a cornerstone of the rehabilitation program, especially

for the rural countryside where 70 percent of the population lived. It meant support for agriculture, the main source of livelihood for the majority of Filipinos. It translated essentially to self-sufficiency in rice, the staple food of the Filipinos and, in concrete terms, support for good harvests.

With that, the availability of water to raise the productivity of farmlands came into the picture and irrigation became a vital component of the rehabilitation program to have rice on every table across the country. Water was the third basic input in the productivity triumvirate that included the use of high-yielding varieties and the adoption of new technologies.

The demand for increased rice production drove the demand for more irrigation systems. The productive capacity of tillable land was limited by its size and by making water available as needed come rain or dry season, irrigation helped raise the output per hectare. Irrigation also tamed lands once hospitable only to trees and shrubs and made acreages available to the cultivation of palay.

Self-sufficiency in rice became the rallying cry of every post-war administration. The push early on, however, was not enough to meet the demand of an increasing population.

It took President Diosdado Macapagal to give due recognition to irrigation as the key factor in increasing grains productivity on limited farmlands. On June 22, 1963, he signed Republic Act No. 3601 into law creating the National Irrigation Administration which was envisioned to boost the production of food crops with the construction of more irrigation systems.

True to the VisionIt used to be that farm communities went boom or bust with the seasons. Mang Alfredo Renante, descended from generations of farmers in Isabela, remembers how his father and the entire community rejoiced when the rains came at the start of the planting season, a harbinger, they said, of good harvest ahead. He recalls, too, the pall that descended when dry days stretched to weeks before the harvest. Now 46, Mang Alfredo himself tills his own fields. But, unlike his father, he has ceased worrying about whether the rains will come on time. Since the government installed an irrigation system almost three decades back, water has stopped being a priority. He looks instead to the promise that with new farming technology provided by the National Irrigation Administration, he will be able to increase his yield and be able to harvest five times every two years.

A

ABOVE: The existing Colocol Communal Irrigation

System in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya covers a total

service area of 2,875 hectares. OPPOSITE: The NIA

headquarters in Quezon City. PAGE 12: Construction

of the concrete chute-type spillway of Pantabangan

Dam in the 70s. PAGE 13: Farmers in Solano,

Nueva Vizcaya.

NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION [ ]

16 NIA AT 5016 NIA at 50

17STAYING THE COURSE FOR 50 YEARS 17A LEGACY OF SERVING FILIPINO FARMERS 17A LEGACY OF SERVING FILIPINO FARMERS

In its first three years of operation, NIA evolved from a mere division of the Department of Public Works to a big organization with multifarious functions and broad coverage. The new agency started laying the groundwork for bigger roles and functions to play in the attainment of self-sufficiency in rice.

In 1968, the elusive goal of self-sufficiency in rice was finally attained with a bumper harvest of 91.2 million cavans. The country also ceased to import rice for the first time since 1947.

Aside from accelerated irrigation development, the use of a new high-yielding strain called “miracle rice” and the application of new farming technologies helped NIA reach its goal.

RAPID INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Starting in the 70s, NIA assumed the central role of the government agency behind the accelerated irrigation thrust of the government. It would go on to establish many firsts in its corporate history but the construction and maintenance of imposing infrastructures in support of expanded irrigation and power generation have been at the top of its achievement pyramid.

In August 1969, NIA held groundbreaking ceremonies for its first flagship infrastructure, the Angat River Multipurpose Project in Bustos, Bulacan. Although it was a power generation project of the National Power Corporation, the project included an irrigation component that would increase irrigable area from 24,000 hectares to 26,000 hectares.

[ ABOUT THE NIA LOGO ]

In 1976, a new logo was proposed to replace

the agency’s official seal, whose detailed design was

deemed too conservative and no longer reflected

NIA’s growing stature in agricultural development. At

the same time, the agency was moving to the new

NIA complex in Diliman, Quezon City after years of

operating with its different departments scattered in

various locations.

The new logo depicted the name NIA in white,

representing water, against a field of brilliant green

symbolizing vigorous plant growth. As rendered,

the agency’s acronym suggested a dam and spillway

over which water flowed.●

LEFT: Angat Multipurpose Dam during the

early stage of construction in the 60s.When

it was completed in 1967, it was able to

irrigate 30,000 hectares of farmlands in

the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga

channeled through the Bustos Dam in Bustos,

Bulacan. OPPOSITE: NIA Region II employees

in the early 70s. Vicente E. Galvez (third from

left, bottom photo) would eventually become

the regional irrigation manager.


18 NIA AT 50

The NIA complex was formally completed on July 19, 1976. The building was designed by Arch. Gabriel Formoso and Partners and was built at the cost of P30 million. The major structures and facilities of the complex consist of Building A with eight stories, a penthouse, and a helipad; Building B with four stories, a two-story annex at the back, a garage and motor pool, basketball, tennis and pelota courts, and parking areas. The staggered transfer from NIA’s old office at the Ablaza Buidlng on E. Rodriquez Boulevard and Dona Veñancia Building across Araneta Avenue n Quezon City to NIA’s permanent office started in February 1976. But even before the building was formally completed, the agency’s rank and file already held their annual Christmas party in 1975 at the new compound.●

[ THE NIA BUILDING ]

RIGHT: Aerial view of Magat Dam as

it appeared during its inauguration in

1982. Magat Dam is part of the Magat

River Integrated Irrigation System.

18 NIA at 50

NIA moved on to bigger things with the inauguration of the Pantabangan Dam in 1974, the centerpiece of the Upper Pampanga River Project in Nueva Ecija. The dam was built by an all-Filipino group, the Hydro-Resources Contractors Corporation, which completed the project 17 months ahead of schedule. The feat moved a World Bank senior official for Asia to say, “NIA is the finest irrigation agency in the whole of Asia and in any developing world.” Today, the dam’s reservoir is considered one of the largest in Southeast Asia and one of the cleanest in the Philippines.

In the 1980s, NIA continued to flex its muscle with the inauguration of the Magat Multipurpose Dam in Isabela, the biggest structure of its kind in Southeast Asia. The Magat Dam serves as a source of hydroelectric power and irrigation water for over 80,000 hectares of agricultural lands. Magat Dam is now also a prominent tourist spot in Isabela. The Magat Dam Tourism complex promotes ecotourism with various water sports activities in the reservoir.

The dam site of the Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project in Central Luzon, the biggest infrastructure project under President Corazon C. Aquino administration, broke ground in 1988. That year, the Malatgao River Irrigation Project in Narra, Palawan was also inaugurated to serve farmlands cultivated by 5,000 farmers in the municipalities of Narra and Aborlan. Narra was a resettlement site set up by Ramon Magsaysay in the 1950s as a solution to the insurgency problem then.


Up to the early 1970s, NIA solely owned, operated, and maintained the national irrigation systems (NIS). Presidential Decrees 552 and 1702 issued during the Martial Law era mandated NIA to transfer the management of irrigation systems to farmers so that they could manage their own affairs, especially when it came to conceiving and implementing projects in their communities.

NIA pilot tested its own development strategy in communal systems in Nueva Ecija and the Bicol region. After fine-tuning the process, the agency launched its participatory approach program, starting with the formation of irrigators associations (IAs) in farming communities where a national irrigation system would be built.

NIA wanted the IAs to develop at the same time the agency was building its irrigation facilities. NIA consulted with potential members of an IA on details like the farming schedule in the community and the water cycle at the source. The data allowed technical planners to design and construct an irrigation system that was responsive to local needs.

A fledgling IA began by handling the distribution of water to farmlands. Then, through training and extension services regularly provided by NIA’s Institutional Development Department, IAs were

given greater roles to play. The full responsibility of managing the systems and operations were handed over to the association once it demonstrated the required skills and experience.

Today’s IAs trace their roots to zanjeras, which were cooperative societies that developed around communal irrigation systems. Zanjeras began in the Ilocos Region as far back as 1620. The main function of a typical zanjera was to procure a stable, reliable water supply for its members. In the operation of an irrigation system, the zanjera was also involved in water allocation, physical maintenance of facilities, and conflict management.

By living up to the bayanihan spirit of the zanjeras, many present-day IAs have become models of success. The Tumbaga/Bucal Irrigators Association of Sariaya, Quezon has received more than 30 awards of excellence including Most Outstanding IA for Region IV from 2001 to 2012. The Glorya sa Bagong Milenyo IA based in Guimba, Nueva Ecija won the Agriculture Department’s Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Award for 2012. After surviving the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991, the revitalized federation of six IAs in Botolan, Zambales now engages in prospering agri-business ventures such as biochar and vermiculture production.●

[ IRRIGATORS ASSOCIATIONS AND NIA: A SOLID PARTNERSHIP ]


20 NIA AT 50

RIGHT: Farmers in Guimba, Nueva Ecija

enjoying bountiful harvest. Pantabangan

Dam irrigates most of the farmlands in

Nueva Ecija. OPPOSITE: The Patanad

Diversion Dam in San Isidro, Isabela.

[ FLOOD FORECASTING SAVES LIVES ]

In 1986, the Flood Forecasting and Warning System for Dam Operation (FFWSDO) project was conceived to prevent a repeat of the Angat Dam flood disaster of 1978, when 2,000 lives were lost

and untold amounts in property and agricultural output were washed away downstream of the dam. During typhoons, the project’s telemetered warning system alerted people living in flood plains downstream of dam sites of the impending release of impounded water through spillways. The system is composed of rain and water level gauge stations installed in crucial places in dam watersheds and a radio telecommunication system for transmission of data. Without the FFWSDO, casualties of Typhoon Ondoy in 2009 would have been several orders of magnitude worse than the actual.

The system has been effective in the use of hydrological data and information for the efficient operations and management of reservoirs. It has also ensured the optimum use of the impounded water for power generation, irrigation, flood control, domestic water supply, and mitigating flood damages, particularly in the loss of human lives.●

In 2002, for the first time in the country’s history, the agricultural sector delivered a record production of 13.12 tons of palay despite the prolonged drought that hit the country. Also a first in NIA’s history, the combined area of new farmlands opened for irrigation and existing farmlands rehabilitated reached a record high of 297,800 hectares, almost double the yearly area generated by the agency between 1990 to 2000. The expanded reach benefited 368,700 families and delivered an annual yield of 525,200 metric tons of palay.

TAPPING NIA’S POOL OF EXPERTS

In 1980, NIA created the subsidiary NIAConsult to meet the growing demand for consultants from its talent pool. These experts are lent to outside projects where skills related to management, specialty services in irrigation, and water resources development are needed.

Throughout its years of managing huge projects, NIA has developed a pool of highly trained experts and other specialists. Their skills have been tapped by international institutions, which have fielded NIA experts in projects in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and other Asian countries. Among the contracting institutions were the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, USAID, and the Ford Foundation.

IMPROVED COOPERATION AMONG PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

While the dams attract major attention, NIA is also involved in the construction, maintenance, and the eventual turnover


The use of reclaimed or recycled waste water is among the arsenal of solutions to the problem of diminishing dependable source of fresh water supply for large-scale human activities such as accelerated surplus agriculture. Wastewater reclamation is a cost-effective way to extend rice production even in dry months. The Patanad Diversion Dam in San Isidro and Mancayao Check Dam, both in Isabela, are two that employ the method. Construction of the Patanad Diversion Dam began in December 2012 and was completed in May of 2013. Engineer Pedro M. Dalawampu, acting division manager for MARIIS Division 2, said the new diversion dam services a total of 216 hectares. Among the other dams and irrigation projects that employ re-used water are Vaca and Murcon Dam in Nueva Ecija and Bangon Checkgate, Lower Binahaan, Binahaan-Tibak RIS, Tanauan, Leyte.●

[ WATER RE-USE ]

22 NIA AT 5022 NIA AT 50

[ NIA LITERATURE ]

NIA releases a wide variety of publications to its stakeholders. using various media to disseminate information on its plans, programs and accomplishments. Most of these publications are available as printed matter in NIA offices across the country and can also be accessed on the NIA website nia.gov.ph.

Publications include:• NIA Primer. A set of guides on membership to irrigators associations, as well as specific food sufficiency programs supported by the agency. • NIA Currents. A quarterly newsletter on the plans and programs, activities, new advocacies, and the major events of NIA and its partners. • Regional Newsletters. An update on the activities and developments in the regional offices of the agency.• NIA Digest. Focuses on the status of new and existing projects and recent accomplishments. • Annual Report. A round-up of highlights during the year, NIA’s ongoing projects, and the performance of the agency. • Patubigan Komiks. A farmer’s guide on adopting new farming technologies presented in comic book form. • A Comprehensive History of Irrigation in the Philippines. A comprehensive narrative of the milestones in irrigation development in the Philippines as it relates to the agency’s mandate.●

of communal irrigation projects. These initiatives call for closer cooperation and interaction with farmer beneficiaries who are expected to be an active partner in extending the useful life of the communal irrigation systems.

In 1976, NIA, with support from the Ford Foundation, set up two pilot projects in Laur, Nueva Ecija to test the “bottom up” integrated approach in developing partner organizations. The initial lessons from the Nueva Ecija experiments were further fine-tuned in Camarines Sur.

This integrated approach meant farmer members were expected to be involved heavily in institutional and technical activities. As water users, they would actively engage in planning and construction activities, participate in surveys, obtain right of ways, acquire water permits, and build or repair physical facilities.

The satisfactory results of the participatory approach in communal systems encouraged NIA to roll out the scheme in national systems. The agency’s methods have also been successfully deployed, with some modifications, in Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

MORE HELP, MORE INNOVATIONS

NIA does not stop assisting farmers when systems are conducted and monitors are put in place. It must still contend with the higher objective of ensuring self-sufficiency in rice.


As irrigation impacts lives, NIA has extended its mandate to embrace advocacies that will help ensure water continues to flow through the complex systems it has erected to guarantee food production, the well-being of communities, and the sustainable progress of a nation.

NIA launched the Watershed Management and Erosion Control Project (WMECP) in 1980, first “laboratory-tested” and showcased in the Magat Dam complex. The program established plantations of agro-forestry and timber crops in the watershed areas within the immediate vicinity of the Magat reservoir. Nine thousand six hundred and forty four hectares of Magat watershed lands were programmed for reforestation and 4,727 hectares of denuded mountains and hillslopes were planted with various species of agro-forest trees like mango, cashew, yemane, mimosa, mahogany, Benguet pine, and narra.

Today, NIA’s Environment and Watershed Management Section (EWMS) implements a World Bank-supported policy formulation that will screen new irrigation projects at the proposal level. This screening oversees a project’s realization from conception to actual operation, long after it passed the tests of environmental impact assessment and compliance, and the social safeguards that ensure fair and equitable

treatment of local residents (so they don’t resort to “stealing” watershed agro-products).

NIA has also partnered with LGUs and IAs to undertake tree-planting drives on a year-round basis to boost the potential of watershed areas needed for irrigation of agricultural lands.●

TOP and BOTTOM: Tree planting in Region VI and XII, respectively. The activity was part of the synchronized tree planting

done by NIA offices nationwide on June 8, 2012 in support of the National Greening Program of the government.

OPPOSITE RIGHT: Consultative meeting with IA members in Region VIII.


[ PROTECTING WATERSHEDS ]


Every year, NIA embarks on activities that showcase the talents of its people. Every year, choral and cultural dance competitions have become highly anticipated, keeping heritage songs and dance forms alive and sparking friendly rivalry among participating regions. Choirs have performed traditional songs in local languages. Themes for the dance competition have included festival street dances as well as an exploration of Mindanao’s cultural contributions via the Malong Dance. Wearing vibrant costumes, employees participating in both competitions re-live the country’s cultural roots while reinforcing the values that NIA deems crucial to its success as an agency: dependability, responsibility, discipline, commitment, and working together toward common goals.●

[ VALUES THROUGH CULTURAL PURSUITS ]

In 1988, the agency delivered more direct support when it began to implement the irrigation component of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). The assistance contributed not only to increased productivity of farmlands but also helped improve the livelihood of farmers who have been transformed into small landholders. Over the 10-year implementation of the program, the agency constructed mostly new communal irrigation systems that generated 213,000 hectares of new irrigated areas and rehabilitated or improved existing systems serving some 140,000 areas.

To restore irrigation service in lahar-affected areas in Central Luzon caused by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, the Shallow Groundwater Irrigation Project was launched in 1993. Six years later, water recycling or drainage re-use was introduced to help increase the coverage of irrigated areas. The Balikatan Sagip-Tubig Program operates under a counterpart sharing scheme among NIA, the Department of Agriculture, the local government units, and the irrigators associations to boost financial resources for communal irrigation systems.

To effectively use hydrological data and information in the efficient operation and management of reservoirs to ensure the optimum use of impounded water, the Flood Forecasting and Warning System for Dam Operations was inaugurated on October 14, 1986. The system is also used to issue warnings on the release of impended water, which function to mitigate damages caused by flood, particularly in the loss of human life. In 1989, NIA built the Diversified Crops Irrigation Center, a training facility and soil and water laboratory designed to strengthen

UPRIIS dance troupe

Region III choir

Region V dance troupe

24 NIA AT 50

25STAYING THE COURSE FOR 50 YEARS 25STAYING THE COURSE FOR 50 YEARS

EcotourismThe International Ecotourism Society defines the term as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and

improves the well-being of local people.” On the national scale, the Magat Dam Tourism Complex in Ramon, Isabela, showcases NIA’s commitment to these principles. The

largest in Asia at the time of its construction in the early 1980s, Magat Dam remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the province of Isabela.

Situated in the Magat Forest Reserve, the Magat Dam Tourism Complex is a pleasant location for picnicking, fishing, and engaging in various types of water sports. The complex centers on the 4,450-hectare lake created by the dam. The waters are clean and there are facilities for fishing, boating, and various water sports like water skiing. Close to the dam is Camp Vizcarra, a leisure resort that was constructed next to the river by the government of Isabela.

There are other facilities that offer the potential for tourism development. The 1.61-kilometer long Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija affords a picturesque view of the Sierra Madre Mountains, while the clear waters of its 8,000-hectare man-made lake teem with marine life and invite leisure activities like fishing, boating, and swimming. Nearby, a hotel already offers rooms with views of the placid lake along with spa treatments and water activities for guests. Anglers have also discovered Pantabangan, mounting occasional sports fishing competitions to reel in the prized large-mouth bass.

Mini Hydro Power Plants The National Irrigation Administration irrigation systems (dams and canals) has potential for

hydro powers, thus, field officials had site visits and investigation and identified over 147 sites nationwide for possible location of minihydro power plants which can generate altogether an estimated 28 megawatts of electricity.

Hydropower offers many advantages: (1) run irrigation pumps; (2) run operation of poultry, piggery, hatchery, fishponds, aerations, sawmills; (3) domestic source of energy; (4) generally available when needed; (5) clean electricity; (6) recreational opportunities like fishing, swimming, and boating; (7) income generating; and (8) relies on the water cycle, which is driven by the sun, thus it is a renewable power source.●

[ OTHER POTENTIALS OF IRRIGATION DAMS ]

Magat reservoir, Isabela is an ecotourism complex ideal

for picnicking, fishing, and engaging in various types of

water sports.


NIA has helped farmers increase their yields

or make it easy for them to secure rice-growing

supplies.

• Ratooning. A method of harvesting rice by

leaving the roots and the lower parts of the plant

intact to give the remaining stubble or “ratoon” a

chance to regenerate and bear fruit. Main benefit:

the crop matures earlier in the season and at a

decreased cost.

• No-tillage system. A method that supplants

plowing, the benefits of which (aerating the soil,

eliminating weeds, and mixing organic matter

into the soil) are achieved in other ways. Benefit:

reduces overhead.

• Alternate wet and dry (AWD). A water-use

farming practice where rice fields are allowed to dry

intermittently during the rice-growing stages rather

than keeping the fields continuously submerged.

• Quick turn around (QTA). A disaster recovery

response initiative where palay seeds and other

rice-growing consumables are supplied by the

government right after a destructive typhoon.

• 5-in-2 croppings. Part of NIA’s drive to increase

cropping intensity from the traditional two in

one year, the new cropping calendar ensures that

harvests don’t fall during the typhoon months of

September and October.●

[ INCREASING YIELDS ]

the agency’s operations, maintenance services, and water management capabilities to crops other than rice.

Under the banner of “irrigation efficiency is rice self-sufficiency,” NIA cooperated with the Department of Agriculture in 2010 to introduce rice ratooning, a planting technology that regenerates the growth of new rice tillers after harvest. Within 45 days, the ratooned crops is ready to be harvested.

The agency also ventured with farmers in quick turnaround, alternate wetting and drying, and no-tillage farming strategies that increase yields on limited farmlands. A more recent first for NIA is the installation of mini-hydro plants along irrigation canals for power generation which offers potential to generate new sources of revenues.

For the last 50 years, the National Irrigation Administration has stayed the course in pursuing its vision of establishing irrigation systems nationwide that are environmentally sound, socially acceptable, strategically located, and locally managed.

It has sought new and more sustainable ways to enable farmers to improve the delivery and management of water so that the likes of Mang Alfredo Renante can continue to increase his yield, improve his lot and that of the community, and show the children that farming remains a noble, life-affirming pursuit that sustains self, family, and indeed, the nation, beyond the day to day.●


A farmer in Tumauini, Isabela proudly

shows his-soon-to-ripen rice plant.

OPPOSITE TOP: Irrigation canal in

Plaridel, Bulacan.

28 NIA AT 50

n the main office or out on the

field, NIA’s senior officers are

strengthening linkages with

partners, experts, stakeholders, and the

communities they serve.

FIRST ROW (from top): Jimmy L. Apostol, Bukidnon IMO Manager; Reynaldo C. Mencias, Project Manager, Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project (ARIIP); Benitez K. Derogongan, IMO Manager, Region X; Josephine E. Abejon, Corporate Board Secretary; Mariano S. Catan, Jr., Irrigated Rice Production Enhancement Project (IRPEP) Manager.

SECOND ROW: Violeta C. Esguerra, Administrative Department Manager; Joecarnine L. Gubat, Irrigation Management Office (IMO) Manager, Region X; Gregorio S. Dumandan, Internal Audit Service Manager; Rebecca C. Malazarte, Financial Management Department Manager; Virginia R. Atienza, Corporate Planning Services Manager; Genever M. Dionio, Legal Services Department Manager.

THIRD ROW: Gregorio Y. Pang, Sta. Joseja/Umayam Irrigation Project Manager; Erdolfo B. Domingo, Engineering Department Manager; Vicente R. Vicmudo, Project Manager, Balog-Balog Multipurpose Irrigation Project (BBMP); Gene P. Ragodon, Participatory Irrigation Development Project (PIDP) Manager; Noldin S. Oyod, Mal-Mar Irrigation Project Manager; John N. Celeste, National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (NISRIP) Manager.

Leading the Way

I


BOTTOM ROW (opposite): Efren S. Roqueza, Operations Department Manager; Eleuterio C. Luz, Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) Manager; Alexander G. Coloma, Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project (CMIPP) Phase II Manager; Helsy S. Bemudez, Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program-Irrigation Component (CARP-IC) Manager; Ismael D. Tabije, Member, NIA Board of Directors, Private Sector Representative; Estelita S. Sumile, Help for Catubig Agricultural Advancement Project-Irrigation and Drainage Component (HCAAP-IDC) Manager.

TOP ROW (this page): Conrado V. Cardenas, Jr., Regional Irrigation Manager (RIM), Region IV-B; William P. Ragodon, RIM, Region V; Gerardo P. Corsiga, RIM, Region VI; Diosdado A. Rosales, RIM, Region IX; Pilipina P. Bermudez, Public Affairs and Information Staff (PAIS) Manager; Romeo G. Quiza, RIM, Region VIII.

SECOND ROW: Alejando L. Alberca, RIM, Region VII; Mario H. Sande, RIM, Region XII; Julius S. Maquiling, RIM Region XI; Josephine B. Salazar, Operations Manager, Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS); Dexter G. Patrocino, former RIM, Region XIII; Manuel L. Collado, former RIM, Region I.

THIRD ROW: Vicente E. Galvez, RIM, Region II; Mariano G. Dancel, Operations Manager, Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS); Felix M. Razo, Senior Deputy Administrator; Lorna Grace B. Rosario, Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance; Claro V. Maranan, Administrator.

FOURTH ROW: Antonio S. Nangel, former Administrator; Modesto G. Membreve, Acting Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations; Robert C. Suguitan, former Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations; John L. Socalo, RIM, CAR; Reynaldo D. Puno, RIM, Region III; Romeo R. Añonuevo, former RIM, Region IV.

NOT IN PHOTO: Renato P. Millan, RIM, Region I; Romeo M. Lopez, RIM, Region IV-A; Hilarion C. Cedeño, RIM, Region X; Encarnacion S. Soriano, RIM, Region XIII. ●

30 NIA AT 50

June 22, 1963President Diosdado Macapagal signed into law Republic Act No. 3601 entitled “An Act Creating the National Irrigation Administration.”

1964NIA started operations with an initial complement of 631 personnel.

1966The new agency held ground-breaking ceremonies for its first major project, the Angat Multipurpose Project at the damsite in Bustos, Bulacan.

1968The elusive goal of self-efficiency in rice was attained and the country ceased to import rice for the first time since 1947.

1969NIA was the first recipient of a loan from the newly organized Asian Development Bank to finance project formulation and water management activities.

1974The multi-million Pantabangan Dam, constructed by an all-Filipino group, was inaugurated.

1977The year marked a dramatic turnaround in the state of the rice economy of the Philippines when the country began exporting rice for the first time since the end of World War II.

1980NIA’s authorized capital was increased from P2 billion to P10 billion.

NIAConsult was also established to provide project advisory and management services to international financing institutions and their client countries.

1982Magat Dam was inaugurated.

1986The Flood Forecasting and Warning System for Dam Operations was inaugurated for the mitigation of potential flood damages and the effective use of hydrological data and information.

1988President Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation No. 256 declaring the third week of June every year as Irrigation Week. NIA started implementing the

Landmark Dates

30 NIA AT 50


2000The Southern Philippines Irrigation Project commenced covering depressed areas of Regions VI and VII in the Visayas, Caraga Region, and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

2002For the first time in NIA’s history, the combined area of new and rehabilitated farmlands covered by irrigation reached a record high of almost 300,000 hectares. The agricultural sector also delivered a record production of 13.12 tons of palay despite the prolonged drought that hit the country.

2004The Integrity Development Action Plan (IDAP) set in place measures to avert graft and corruption in the agency from the head office to the regional and field offices.


irrigation development component of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

1990Started the restoration of damaged irrigation systems in areas affected by lahar from the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991.

1991R.A. 6978 was signed into law providing for an accelerated program for the construction of irrigation systems to promote rural development.

1993The Shallow Groundwater Program was launched as an alternative way to restore irrigation in lahar-affected areas in Central Luzon.

1999Water recycling also known as drainage water re-use was introduced to help increase the area covered by irrigation.

2011Rice ratooning, quick turn-around, alternate wetting and drying and no-tillage strategies were introduced to increase farm yield.

2012The agency ventured into mini-hydro plants in irrigation canals, eco-tourism and bulk water and potable water system.

NIA undertakes synchronized tree-planting activity as part of the celebration of its 49th anniversary. 14,687 trees were planted in 35 different planting sites nationwide.

2013NIA celebrates its 50th anniversary●

32 NIA AT 50

ake Vicente Galvez, Irrigation Manager for Region II. He joined NIA as engineer trainee in 1972, a time of dizzying change when agricultural problems were intimately intertwined with irrigation issues and emerging technologies. During his tour of duty as project manager for

the Cagayan Integrated Agricultural Development Project in the mid-eighties, he saw engineers bail by the dozens when site offices were raided twice in one year by the New People’s Army. From 50 assigned to the project, only 20 remained before they dwindled to five. But unfazed and a little angry, he sought the support of the townspeople, who gave it to him—allowing him to plow on with the irrigation project. Looking back at the experience, Galvez states, “I have staked my life for NIA because I honored my commitments to the ideals I imbibed when I joined the organization.”

Renato Gamboa, Technical Assistant for operations, Institutional Development Division, also saw massive projects come to fruition, if in a less dramatic fashion. He joined NIA fresh out of college, working as an engineer on the Upper Pampanga River Project which later became the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System. In less than half a decade, he witnessed rice growers in project areas boost their harvest from 40 to 60 cavans per hectare to a whopping 100 to 200 cavans. He was even recruited by the government to help a Filipino team develop an irrigation system for the then-newly born nation of East Timor.

Those who kept the agency in efficient running condition were just as instrumental in the success of NIA. “Even as a typist, as support staff, I felt I was contributing to the growth of the agency and, by extension, the improvement of the lives of the farmer beneficiaries,” said Zeny Riño, who rose through the ranks to Senior Internal Control Officer A. Over the 40 years she devoted to NIA, Riño saw how irrigated areas become attractive to investors. She saw farmers increase their buying power, send their kids to school, and the communities they live in become cauldrons for micro entrepreneurship. She knows that “irrigation literally sets the multiplier effect to a forward motion.”

T

Their Life’s Work, Their Personal MissionFresh and eager, their faces turned to the future, Renato, Zeny, Helsy, and Vicente joined NIA when the agency

was as young and full of promise as they were back in the seventies. Four decades later, as they near retirement, they

reflect on the culture, the milestones, the challenges, and the satisfactions that made them stay in an organization

that has transformed so many lives, their own included.


Engineer Helsy Delos Santos Bermudez, NIA-CARP Project Manager, knows this too well. “Irrigation is not just physical structure construction; just as important is the development of the people who will use it,” he says. Simply going where the jobs took him after he graduated with a civil engineering degree, Bermudez immediately felt at home when he was hired by NIA to work on designing irrigation projects in region 1. He was there when the participatory approach to irrigation was introduced in 1975. Reviving the bayanihan idea meant farmers took care of maintaining weather-prone irrigation canals and causeways for the good of the entire system, and not just on the section that directly affected them. His summation of this community spirit parallels that of his 40-year service to NIA. “Like everything else in society, if you own it, you take care of it.” It may well apply to the exemplary dedication of NIA’s other long-serving employees.●

BELOW (left to right) AND OPPOSITE (top

to bottom): Renato Gamboa, Zeny Riño,

Engineer Helsy Delos Santos Bermudez

and Vicente Galvez. Background image:

Vicente Galvez.

34 NIA AT 50

NIA Administrators

TOMAS DE GUZMAN (1964-1966)Engineer Tomas De Guzman started his government service in 1926 as an inspector in the

District Engineer’s Office in Pangasinan. He moved up to chief of the irrigation division of the Bureau of Public Works before his appointment as NIA Administrator in 1965. During his term, NIA contributed 39.5 percent to total national rice production from only 30 percent of irrigated area, a noteworthy feat at the time. Also under his watch, NIA initiated the Angat River Multipurpose Project, evolved from a department into a full-fledged agency, and revised the rules and regulations governing the operation and maintenance of national irrigation systems.

ALFREDO L. JUINIO (December 1966 – March 16, 1980)As the longest-serving NIA Administrator,

civil engineer Alfredo L. Juinio was

at the helm of NIA’s involvement in research on land reform, agricultural production, infrastructure, and power generation. Two years into his term, the Philippines achieved rice self-sufficiency, which prompted the World Bank to declare that “NIA is the finest irrigation agency in the whole of Asia.”

FIORELIO R. ESTUAR (March 17, 1980 – February 28, 1983)Thanks to structural engineer Fiorelio

Estuar’s administration, corporate planning was institutionalized and the participatory approach in project implementation was also adopted where farmer-beneficiaries were consulted in the selection of projects. Computers were introduced to automate monitoring, tracing, retrieving, reporting and analysis. Estuar also challenged organizational units to become self-sufficient. Under Estuar’s inclusive leadership, church and government joined hands in the Abra River Irrigation Project. It was also during the administration of Estuar when Financial Viability was introduced and institutionalized. His administration has aptly been described as the Age of Irrigation.

Each brought his expertise to the agency, allowing it to fulfill its mandate and evolve with the changing times.

CESAR L. TECH (February 28, 1983 – April 30, 1986)Cesar L. Tech rose from the ranks and, as NIA

head, cut red tape by decentralizing the agency. A number of viable offices increased during his term, which also saw the country producing 164 million cavans of rice in 1985. The Magat River Integrated Irrigation Systems (MARIIS) became operational during Tech’s term, with the granting of viability incentive grants for NIA personnel and emergency food subsidy allowance rounding out the highlights of his three-year administration.

FEDERICO N. ALDAY (May 1, 1986 – April 30, 1989)Federico N. Alday introduced diversified crops irrigation

engineering, flood forecasting and warning system for dam operators, computerized billing of irrigation service fees, irrigation technology transfer, and mobility and


communication equipment upgrade. His irrigation acceleration projects still generate useful lessons to this day.

JOSE B. DEL ROSARIO JR. (May 1, 1989 – October 22, 1992)Under Jose B. del Rosario’s leadership,

national and communal irrigation projects were intensified, the agency’s financial position strengthened, management role of farmer-beneficiaries expanded, and earthquake reconstruction of irrigation damage launched.

APOLONIO V. BAUTISTA (October 23, 1992 – December 31, 1995)Apolonio V. Bautista’s administration

prioritized areas destroyed by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. To address the degradation of watersheds, he turned irrigators associations into efficient partners through institutional development programs. Project managers were directed to report to the regional heads to enhance coordination between central and field offices.

RODOLFO C. UNDAN (January 1, 1996 – January 31, 1997) Rodolfo Undan saw the inauguration of five projects under

his term and implemented the creation of the CARAGA Region – Region XIII plus Agusan, Surigao, and Butuan. He granted

hazard pay to employees in areas such as volcanic peripheries and played a significant role in averting a rice shortage crisis in 1996. Undan’s term laid the guidelines for the formation of provincial federations and a nationwide confederation of irrigators associations (PRFIAS and NCIA) in response to the magna carta of small farmers.

ORLANDO V. SORIANO (February 1, 1997 – July 16, 1998)Orlando V. Soriano concentrated on the extensive improvement

and rehabilitation of both national and communal irrigation system, and repaired networks of farm-to-market roads and diversion/distribution canals and drainage systems. Discipline and order vastly improved within NIA under his term.

MANUEL S. AREVALO (July 17, 1998 – January 4, 2001)Manuel S. Arevalo

enhanced institutional development programs such as the establishment of the NIA Employees Welfare Program. On his watch, management and NIA Employees Association of the Philippines signed a collective negotiation agreement, a NIA Committee on Discipline was created, a one-hour weekly radio program launched for NIA’s information campaigns, and Total Quality and Productivity Management System adopted and implemented.

CESAR E. GONZALES (January 5, 2001 – March 29, 2001)Cesar E. Gonzales was a NIA pioneer—he was a

Project Engineer at the then Bureau of Public Works. During his stint as Project Manager of Upper Pampanga River Project, construction of Pantabangan Dam was completed 17 months ahead of schedule, a feat unequalled then and unreplicated since. He produced the preliminary studies for the Magat River Multipurpose Project and the Casecnan Transbasin Project. Project engineers call him NIA’s Unsung Hero.

ORLANDO C. (HONDRADE April 1, 2001 – May 28, 2001)Under Orlando C. Hondrade’s two-month role as Officer-

36 NIA AT 50

In-Charge and Administrator, NIA’s revenues rose by a staggering 15 percent. Awarded most outstanding irrigation superintendent of Pulangui RIS Bukidnon, Hondrade was appointed Administrator of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Systems (MWSS) right after leaving NIA.

JESUS EMMANUEL M. PARAS (May 29, 2001 – January 16, 2005)Irrigation cropping intensity rose to an impressive 142

percent under Jesus Emmanuel Paras’s five-year watch. Collections on irrigation service fees improved by almost 200 percent, while those from pump and CIP amortizations and equity went up 465 percent. Paras also implemented the Integrated Farm Support Program (IFSP).

PROCESO T. DOMINGO (January 17, 2005 – October 18, 2005)Proceso Domingo was a proponent of the super-

diversion canal of the Casecnan Multi-Purpose Irrigation and Power Project (NIA-CMIPP). He pursued the Participatory Irrigation Development Project and ISRP and signed a MOA between NIA and

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to conduct a preparatory study on The Project For Agricultural Productivity Improvement and Environmental Conservation on Lubang Island.

BALTHAZAR H. USIS (October 19, 2005 – September 13, 2006)NIA adopted the New Government

Accounting System (NGAS) under the administration of Balthazar H. Usis. He ordered the creation of Integrity Development Action Plan Committee (IDAPCC) and sectoral technical working groups. Internally, Balthazar resolved the problems of unpaid wages and granted payment of collection agreement incentives.

ARTURO C. LUMIBAO (September 13, 2006 – February 22, 2007)Arturo Lumibao’s administration oversaw the

creation of 11,590 jobs in irrigation-related construction through the continued implementation of foreign-assisted projects nationwide. The National Irrigation Administration saw its income increase by P2.23 million to P1.631 billion in 2006.

MARCELINO V. TUGAOEN JR. (February 23, 2007 – April 30, 2008)Marcelino Tugaoen’s administration

created 17,110 jobs nationwide in construction activities. On his watch, the Integrity Development Action Plan (IDAP) was formulated from central office to regional and field offices; the Nagbabaclan CIA diversion Works in Gonzaga, Cagayan was completed within eight months; and the Comprehensive Agreement Program (CAP) on collection of Irrigation Service Fee (ISF) back accounts was vigorously pursued.

CARLOS S. SALAZAR (May 1, 2008 – August 11, 2010)Dubbed The Working Adminstrator, Carlos S.

Salazar is the father and pioneer of the Sustainable System of Irrigated Agriculture (SSIA), previously known as Salazar’s System of Rice Development. Under his command, NIA ranked third among eight government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC) and government financial institutions (GFI) for complying and implementing its Integrity Development Action Plan (IDAP) for the first semester of 2009. NIA earned a 95 percent rating in energy


conservation from the government. Salazar also adopted the Quick Turn Around (QTA) Strategy in order to replenish or restore damaged crop areas.

ALEXANDER A. REUYAN (February 8, 2010 – August 1, 2010)As officer-in-charge and administrator,

Alexander A. Reyuan chaired the change management team in its last phase for NIA’s rationalization plan and initiated the cross-visitation of regional and operations managers. He institutionalized the regular conference of the Association of Regional Directors and Operations Managers (ARDOMA).

ANTONIO A. GALVEZ (August 2, 2010 – September 6, 2010)Antonio A. Galvez is the longest-serving

employee in NIA’s history. He started as an engineer-trainee in 1970 in the Upper Pampanga River Project and assisted in hydraulic and structural design of simple irrigation structures. He was appointed Assistant Administrator for 12 years and, before his retirement, he was appointed Senior Deputy Administrator. He chaired the Change Management Team for NIA Rationalization Plan.●

Dubbed The Proactive Administrator, Antonio S. Nangel oversaw NIA from 2010

to 2013. He was the first NIA administrator to have been given the biggest budget

allocation for the generation, restoration, and rehabilitation of irrigation systems in

the country. He was the first to place great emphasis on visiting and interacting with

the farmers and LGUs on their irrigation needs, practically laying down the road map

to rice self-sufficiency. On his watch NIA became viable again, the first after 49 years.

The Southern Philippines Irrigation Sector Project was completed during his term.

A memorandum of understanding was signed with SN Aboitiz Power–Magat for the

Magat expansion project 1 and 2.

He was a far-reaching visionary with a strong pragmatic mind and his

innovations yielded dramatic results on the ground that resonated with the public

at large. He implemented the five-croppings-in-two-years scheme; introduced rice

ratooning; streamlined the Quick Turn Around Strategy for field damage control

and response; and implemented alternative wetting and drying, no-tillage, and

other strategies that resulted in increased but sustainable crop yields.

NIA attained the highest irrigation cropping intensity during Nangel’s term and he

was the first to venture into projects like mini-hydro power plants in irrigation canals,

eco-tourism, and bulkwater or potable water system. The Casecnan Multipurpose

Project Phase II and the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Phase II started in his term.●

The Pragmatic Visionary[ ANTONIO S. NANGEL ]

38 NIA AT 50

IA Administrator Engineer Claro V. Maranan has been called an experienced public servant, an achiever, a warrior of knowledge and improvement, and a true leader. The plaudits are well earned. The former OIC of NIA’s Office of the Senior Deputy Administrator

was appointed to his current position just as the agency celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, bringing with him vision, compassion, and a straightforward approach to issues borne of years as a leader-servant in the private and public sectors.

Administrator Maranan began his career in his hometown in Sariaya, Quezon in 1976 as a member of the Municipal Council. After serving as a board member of the Quezon Provincial Council, he became president of the East Orient Development Corporation, worked as a materials engineer in the Office of the Quezon Provincial Engineer, and was a project manager at Montalbo & Sons, Inc. He joined the public sector in 1989, starting as project engineer of the 4th IBRD Ports Project – Port of Sta. Cruz under the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). Rising through the ranks, he became the assistant general manager of PPA’s Engineering Office from in 2005 to 2010. Later, he was hired as a consultant for the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority in 2011 and then became the agency’s assistant general manager. Three months prior to his appointment as new NIA chief, Engineer Maranan was appointed as the OIC for NIA’s Office of the Senior Deputy Administrator due to his pristine track record.

In his positions, he championed transparency, accountability, equity, efficiency, and economy in procurement process of both PPA and the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority; promoted environmental concerns in all PPA ports; pushed for a first-ever comprehensive audit of the Navotas Fish Port Complex that resulted in collections totaling P63.6 million; paved the way for the standardization of engineering processes in PPA; and implemented health, safety, and security measures in port lease contracts.

He also pursued learning opportunities at every turn, augmenting his experience and degree in BS Civil Engineering with training and seminars on areas as diverse as gender audits and analysis, maritime safety, engineering design, performance appraisals, ports reform, and internal and information audits.

For NIA, Administrator Maranan has unveiled a seven-point program, namely: the rapid and efficient delivery of irrigation projects, an accurate reporting and

Committing to Innovation and Strengthening Ties with Stakeholders

N

[ CLARO V. MARANAN ]


monitoring system, organizational reforms and process innovations, corporate financial stability, empowerment and continuous learning for employees, a comprehensive plan on climate change adaptation, and strengthening the agency’s commitment to farmers and other stakeholders for lasting cooperation.

“The old, ineffective structures will be transformed into innovative systems and processes responsive to the demands of the NIA and stakeholders. Taking full responsibility for results, the next ten years of NIA will be its greatest decade ever,” Administrator Maranan vowed.●

OPPOSITE (TOP):

Administrator Maranan

leads the ribbon-cutting

ceremony of the blessing

and inauguration of

the new three-storey

building of NIA Region IV

Employees Multipurpose

Cooperative. 2ND AND

THIRD FROM TOP: Adm.

Maranan visits NIA

Region VIII after typhoon

Yolanda. BOTTOM: The

administrator emphasizes

his 7-point Agenda.

40 NIA AT 50

Catubig Left Main Canal, HCAAP,

Las Navas, Northern Samar.

41WHERE THE WATER FLOWS

Where The Water Flows

In NIA’s fifteen regional and two integrated irrigation

systems offices, irrigation systems and dams have brought

a measure of peace and the promise of prosperity to local

communities. While some of them took years to complete

and others were more modest community systems, they all

answered a crucial, fundamental need. Here are the major

irrigation projects and systems of each region and the men and

women who help administer them.

CHAPTER 2

42 NIA AT 50

[ UCRIS ] The Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) is the

largest irrigation system in the Cordilleras. With a cost of P827 million, UCRIS, previously known as Chico River Irrigation Project (CRIP), began construction in 1977 and was officially opened in December 1986 with service areas in 28 barangays of Tabuk and Pinukpuk, Kalinga, and Quezon and Mallig, Isabela. At present, it has a firmed-up service area of 15,258 hectares.

Juanito Bolislis, a former long-term irrigators association leader, recalled that prior to irrigation, farmers used to harvest 30 cavans per hectare. Thanks to UCRIS, yields tripled to 90 to more than 100 cavans per hectare. “And so they [people] realized that it was the irrigation that brought progress in Tabuk, Kalinga,” Bolislis said. UCRIS is scheduled for rehabilitation under the World Bank-funded Participatory Irrigation Development Project (PIDP), with civil works commencing in the last quarter of 2013.●

or almost 30 years since the creation of NIA in 1963, irrigation development in the Cordilleras fell under NIA-Region I and NIA-Region II as there was no established regional irrigation office in the Cordillera Administrative

Region or CAR. It was only in May 1993 that NIA-CAR was created, pursuant to

the presidential directives of then President Fidel Ramos in 1992. NIA-CAR covered the provincial irrigation offices of Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, Mountain Province, and Upper Chico River Irrigation System with the head office established at the building of NIA-Benguet provincial irrigation office (PIO) in Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet.

In 2009, six PIOs of NIA-CAR were merged into three irrigation management offices (IMOs), namely Apayao IMO, Kalinga-Ifugao-Mt. Province IMO, and Abra-Benguet IMO which was merged with the regional office.

In almost two decades, irrigation development rose from 24.48 percent in 1993 to 47.87 percent in 2012, with a service area totaling 88,756 hectares of rice, vegetables, and other high-value crops out of the regional potential irrigable area of 185,406 hectares. To date, NIA-CAR covers three national irrigation systems (NIS), the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) in Kalinga, West Apayao-Abulug Irrigation System in Apayao and Hapid Irrigation System in Ifugao, and 1,376 NIA-assisted communal irrigation systems (CIS) all over the region. There are 921 irrigators associations in NIA-CAR with about 67,000 farmer-members.

Among the big projects expected to help boost irrigation development in the Cordilleras are the multi-year Alfonso Lista Pump Irrigation Project in Ifugao, Marimay Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) in Apayao, and Upper Butigue SRIP in Mountain Province, together with the World Bank-funded Participatory Irrigation Development Projects in West Apayao-Abulog Irrigation System and Upper Chico River Irrigation System.

NIA-CAR is currently headed by Regional Manager John Socalo.●

[ GUNGLO TI MANNALON IA ] Gunglo ti Mannalon Irrigators Association was formerly

called Lawig IA which was formed in 1978 to maintain the then Lawig Communal Irrigation System, now integrated to the Hapid Irrigation System. The diversion dam was originally constructed by Ramon Dulinayan until NIA improved the dam and built canals which irrigated other nearby farms.

Since 1977, IA members have been deeply involved in every aspect of the system since it was turned over to them in 1978. During its stint as a communal system under Region 2 and now as a national system under NIA-CAR, the IA has received awards for being an outstanding farmer association.

With its integration with the NIS, Gunglo ti Mannalon IA has regularly received incentives from the collection of irrigation service fees because of its high collection rates and satisfactory maintenance of canals.●

NIA CARCordillera Administrative Region

F


BELOW: The Upper Chico River Irrigation System Diversion Dam in Tabuk City, Kalinga. BELOW LEFT: NIA-CAR Manager John

Socalo plants pine tree seedlings during the NIA Synchronized Tree Planting in June 2013. BELOW MIDDLE: The officers of CAR

Federation of Irrigators Association headed by Mr. Remy Albano. BELOW RIGHT: Potato and other high value crops are the common

produce in the NIA-assisted Salin-Balicanao Communal Irrigation System (CIS) in Sadsadan, Bauko, Mt. Province. Service areas in

vegetable-producing CISs in the Cordilleras are typically rolling or terraced agricultural land usually irrigated through sprinklers that

draw water from impounding tanks. Farmers of Benguet and Mountain Province can cultivate their vegetable gardens thrice a year

depending on the type of crops planted and the availability of water.

44 NIA AT 50

ith a total service area of 113,000 hectares, NIA serves more than 84,000 farmers in Region I. Of these, 51,754 belong to 262 registered irrigators associations (IAs) that look after 63,124 hectares under the national irrigation system (NIS). The

remaining 32,685 are members of 35 registered IAs responsible for another 48,476 hectares supplied by the communal irrigation system (CIS).

There are four major irrigation projects in Region I, namely: Barbar Small River Irrigation Project (SRIP) in Ilocos Sur with a service area of 1,000 hectares and 306 farmer beneficiaries; Masidem SRIP in Bani, Pangasinan with 440 farmer members in a 600-hectare service area; San Angel SRIP in Rosales, Pangasinan with 115 farmers in 161 hectares; and Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project (ARIIP), one of the largest projects of NIA under project manager Reynaldo C. Mencias, with 34,450 hectares serviced to benefit 29,207 farmers.

In 2012, Region I achieved 68 percent in irrigation development and increased its viability index by .18 percent, making it one of the most improved regions of NIA for the year.

NIA Regiona I is headed by acting RIM Renato P. Millan.●

Region IIlocos Region

W

[ THE TRADITIONALIST ]Success is not based on material wealth nor on

land ownership, but on how a person achieved his goals to improve himself and help others. Jaime Z. Gapatan is a seed grower and a farmer of Ilocos Sur. A Commerce graduate of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Manila, Gapatan was obliged to run the family farm when his beloved brother died unexpectedly. Wanting to do his sibling proud, Gapatan sought assistance in improving production, first from the municipal agricultural technician and later from NIA, and to repair irrigation canals. Later, he organized the Timpuyog ti Sta. Maria-Burgos Farmers Irrigators Association. In 2012, he was elected to head the provincial confederation of Ilocos Sur Irrigators Association and at present he is the treasurer of the Timpuyog ti Irrigators Association ti Region I (TIARI). Gapatan, who eschews high-tech methods, believes that sticking to traditional farming makes Filipino farmers proud because they can live even without the use of agri-machinery.●


[ RIVERSIDE IA ]Riverside IA of Barangay San Juan, Umingan, Pangasinan was organized on

February 1, 1981. It had 99 members when it officially registered with the Securi-ties and Exchange Commission on March 26, 1982. Back in 1979, when a mini dam canal was constructed with 50 hectares of irrigable service area, Riverside IA expanded its coverage to 150 hectares as San Juan CIS completed its Phase I in 1982 and Phase II in 1984. Problems occurred particularly in the water distribu-tion schedule because members were hesitant to follow the cropping calendar. However, this operational problem gradually decreased with the assistance and monitoring of NIA personnel. In 2000, the association was tapped to participate in the Balikatan Sagip Patubig Program (BSPP) with the help of the provincial govern-ment of Pangasinan. From thereon, Riverside IA became one of the catchment areas of Pangasinan and received various awards from NIA for their outstanding performance in the CIS category. Riverside IA bagged its latest award on June 25, 2013 during the fiftieth anniversary of NIA.●

ABOVE: Riverside IA members at their irrigation

water source in Barangay San Juan, Umingan,

Pangasinan. OPPOSITE TOP LEFT: Current acting

RIM Renato P. Millan. OPPOSITE TOP RIGHT:

Former RIM Manuel L. Collado. OPPOSITE

BOTTOM: As one of the major projects of NIA in

Region I, Masidem SRIP irrigates 600 hectares of

farmland with 400 farmer members. OPPOSITE

RIGHT: Jaime Z Gapatan.

WHERE THE WATER FLOWS 45

46 NIA AT 50

Region IIIA’S Region II main office is located along Maharlika Highway,

Minante I, Cauayan City in the province of Isabela. It is justifiably

credited as the central lifeline that made the region consistently rank

as the top producer of rice and corn among all regions in the country.

Better known as Cagayan Valley covering the entire area occupied by

Cagayan province, the Batanes group, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino,

Region II produced a total of 2.177 million metric tons of palay and 1.875 million

of corn in 2012. On average, the region provides 13 percent of the country’s

palay and 22 percent of the national corn supply. Cagayan Valley contributed

1.77 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an increase of 5.37

percent from 2010.

Region II has 16,426 irrigation systems that cover 268,216 hectares of

agricultural lands. National irrigation systems (NIS, which cover 1,000 hectares

and above) make up 56.75 percent of the command area while communal

irrigation systems (CIS, covering less than 1,000 hectares) serve 44 percent of

the irrigation area. Beginning in 2008, these systems were rehabilitated at a cost

of P3.23 billion with a projected increase in palay production by some 270 metric

tons after improvements.

The soon-to-be-completed Colocol Integrated Communal Irrigation System

Rehabilitation/Restoration and Extension Project (CICIS-REP) in Bayombong,

Nueva Viscaya is also expected to increase the volume of rice production in the

province. Previously, Colocol CICIS serviced 2,875 hectares; now, it is expected to

extend its reach to another 3,315 hectares.

In Region II, NIA is headed by RIM Engineer Vicente E. Galvez, who oversees

project implementation in the five juridical areas of the Valley.●

Cagayan Valley

N

[ ADDALAM DAM ] The Addalam Diversion Dam located in San

Leonardo, Aglipay, Quirino Province is a 9.2-meter ogee-type dam that irrigates an aggregate area of 5,830 hectares of agricultural land in Aglipay and Saguday in Quirino, and Echague and Jones in the province of Isabela. Inaugurated on September 10, 2008, the P1.3 billion irrigation project benefits 4,500 farmers—boosting agricultural development in Quirino and two towns in Isabela and augmenting rice production in the Cagayan Valley.●


[ FROM TWO TO TWENTY ] Rogelio and Zenaida Layno started with just two

squares of rice paddies back in the day when the harvest cycle was still restricted to once a year. As with other rice farmers, the Laynos prospered after partnering with NIA. Employing modern farming techniques, the Laynos expanded their field to 22 and 23 hectares of corn and rice fields, respectively. They sent their children to college. Eventually, they owned their own rice and corn mill, a fleet of delivery vehicles, and a bigger home. To this day, they still choose to remain in the paddies with their farmhands during planting and harvesting season. They can still rely on their intuitive fingers to tell whether a random sample of palay satisfies the humidity standards of the prevailing market but leave that task to the latest farming technology they employ. “This is what we have come to know well,” the couple said of why they remain committed to farming. Seeing how far they’ve come, thanks to irrigation and modern farming methods, the Laynos know whereof they speak.●

[ RAPIDO IA ] RAPIDO was organized in 1982 with 75 founding

members and a service area of 238.24 hectares in the rainy season and a little less in the dry. Self-named for their members’ desire to work hard and improve their lot, RAPIDO now has 497 members and a service area of 226.3 hectares recovered from the 500 hectares of formerly cultivated rice lands demolished by Typhoon Ilyang in 1998 (minus the hectarage converted to residential and commercial use since then).

For an irrigators association with individual tillage areas of not more than 1.5 hectares, RAPIDO was named best irrigators association in 2012, with nearly 100 percent collection rate on irrigation service fees (ISF). Association president Gilbert Alejandro credits the group’s success to lessons learned from past calamities.

RAPIDO is based in Lower Chico RIS, Tuao, Cagayan. Francis L. Yu is the principal engineer of the system.●

TOP: The officers of Rapido IA led by President Gilbert Alejandro

continue to push the association forward towards improving their lot.

BOTTOM: This modern and spacious two-storey house was newly-

built by farmer Rogelio Layno. The house is a testament of his hard

work. OPPOSITE TOP: RIM Galvez heads the greening program held

at the Watershed of Siggayu Small Water Impounding System in

Solana, Cagayan. With him are Division Manager Antonio C. Lara

of Cagayan Batanes IMO and CENR Officer Miriam Frances Malana.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Addalam Diversion Dam in San Leonardo,

Aglipay, Quirino Province.

48 NIA AT 50

Magat River Integrated Irrigation System

MARIIS

he Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) is one of the largest irrigation projects undertaken by the National Irrigation Administration at a cost of P3.4 billion. It consists of the Magat Reservoir; two diversion dams namely the MARIS Dam and the

Baligatan Diversion Dam; a large number of irrigation canals; and three pumping stations to supply irrigation water for an area of 97,402 hectares.

Officially opened in 1986, MARIIS serves 17 towns and two cities in the province of Isabela, three municipalities in Quirino and the municipality of Alfonso Lista in Ifugao. It also includes the 360 MW Magat Hydro Electric Power Plant and the 6 MW Baligatan Hydro Electric Power Plant, as well as the 2.5 MW mini-hydro-electric power plants operated by the Isabela Electric Cooperative (ISELCO) and located along the MARIS Main Canal.

In 2012, the irrigated areas covered by MARIIS yielded 831,404 metric tons of palay, an 8.7 percent increase over its 2011 production of 731,409 metric tons.

That same year, MARIIS began construction of the Patanad Diversion Dam in Barangay Patanad in San Isidro, Isabela. It will divert water from the Patanad Creek, which will be reused to irrigate 200 hectares of farmland planted to corn. The project will make it possible for 154 farmers to turn to rice production. The Patanad project demonstrates how smaller water sources can be tapped to irrigate new areas to increase rice production.

MARIIS is headed by Operations Manager Engineer Mariano G. Dancel, who had previously worked as Acting Manager of the Engineering and Operations Division of NIA-MARIIS.

Allied projects MARIIS has undertaken include the Siffu River Climate Change Project, which aims to mitigate the erosion of portions of the embankment of the river due to typhoons and heavy rains. Addressing farmers’ concerns that the erosion ate into their rice lands and posed a risk to their livelihood, MARIIS, along with the local governments of Roxas and Quirino, Isabela agreed to construct gabion retaining wall along the embankment which will run along sections covered by two municipalities in both provinces. More climate change projects are on the table, including erecting a flood control dike in two towns in Isabela.●

TDelcatherine “Kathy” Isidro Damatan, 48, got into farming the moment she found a matching investment for the savings she raised from her husband’s salary allotment from Saudi Arabia—a title for a one hectare rice farm lot in 1986. She learned about the rice-growing business hands on, joining her hired hands in the mud paddy to plant her first hectare. Over the next 10 years, she would acquire another 13 hectares. She and her husband have also invested in a rice mill, a small restaurant, the production of commercial quantities of homegrown organic fertilizer, high-value crops, micro-scale piggery, and turned post-harvest byproducts into hog feed. Today, she is the president of the Sillawit IA in Sillawit, Cauayan City, Isabela.●

MARIIS Operations Manager Engineer Mariano G.

Dancel (second from right).

[ THE RISK TAKER ]


[ MAGAT DAM ]The Magat Dam in Ramon, Isabela is one of the biggest and

most significant infrastructure projects of the National Irrigation Administration and stands as one of Asia’s biggest dams. It was built from 1976 to 1982 at a cost of P6 billion. Rising 114 meters, Magat Dam has a storage capacity at full supply level of 1.25 billion cubic meters, with a water surface area at full supply level of 35 square kilometers. The irrigation facilities, including the reservoir, the intake gates to the hydroelectric plant, and the dam itself, is owned and managed by the National Irrigation Administration. When the hydroelectric plant was privatized, the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) turned over the plant’s ownership and operation to SN Aboitiz Power Inc. (SNAP) in April 2007.

The Magat Dam is part of the Magat River Multipurpose Project (MRMP) which aimed to improve the existing Magat River Irrigation System (MARIS) and the Siffu River Irrigation System (SIFFRIS) and increase the production of rice in the Cagayan River basin.●

[ LIGAYA IA ]LIGAYA IA was organized in November 1982 with 37 farmer

members and a service area of 50 hectares. It was named after Ligaya Domingo Silva, a technician assigned by the Department of Agriculture to assist in the undertakings of the irrigators association in its early years of operation.

LIGAYA IA took root and flourished because officers were always on hand to address problems and bridge gaps. IA president Antonio Cruz, which has led the association since 1990, believes their work has helped farmers rise from subsistence level. Today, homes are lit with electricity and children are able to go to school. Present officers attribute the IA’s success to the officers and members’ full understanding of their respective duties and responsibilities, and the confidence the members have on their officers.●

Magat River Integrated Irrigation System

50 NIA AT 50

Region IIICentral Luzon

egion III comprises seven provinces in the central plains of Luzon, namely, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Zambales. It has a total land area of 2,147,035 hectares. About 30 percent of the total land area estimated at 644,475 hectares is devoted to agricultural production.

NIA Region III is tasked with providing irrigation services to 58.2 per cent of the agricultural lands of Central Luzon. So far, 275,928 hectares have been developed as of July 25, 2013, with 99,259 hectares remaining to be developed. Out of the potential irrigable area, 80,613 hectares are served by the national irrigation system (NIS); 63,643 hectares by the communal irrigation system (CIS); 7,712 by the private irrigation system; and 24,701 by other government agencies. The total developed area covers 176,669 hectares.

Nine offices were clustered into three irrigation management offices (IMO). The provincial offices of Bulacan, Aurora, and Nueva Ecija were merged to create the BANE IMO; the Pampanga, Bataan, Pampanga Delta RIS, and Colo Caulaman RIS comprise the PAMBAT IMO; and the Tarlac, Camiling RIS, Zambales, and Nayum Bayto RIS make up the TARZAM IMO. The regional office is based in Barangay Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan.

The BANE IMO has an aggregate developed area of 69,251 hectares, with 23,393 hectares remaining to be developed. PAMBAT IMO has 49,527 hectares developed and another 33,122 hectares for development. The TARZAM IMO has developed 57,891 hectares, with 42,745 hectares remaining to be developed.

In 2013, BANE IMO completed 34 irrigation projects and has 14 ongoing projects

R

TOP: RIM Reynaldo D. Puno.

ABOVE: Region III Confederation of IA.

RIGHT: Tarlac Diversion Dam.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Ricefield in

Plaridel Bulacan.

50 NIA AT 50


[ ANGAT AFTERBAYREGULATORY DAM ]

The Angat Afterbay Regulatory Dam is the largest dam of the region. It is also the longest rubber dam ever constructed in the Philippines. It supplies irrigation waters to 16 municipalities in Bulacan and four municipalities in Pampanga. It has a firmed-up area of 26,791 hectares with 22,513 farmer beneficiaries. The dam sources its water from the Angat River and was officially opened in 1926.●

allocated at P522.432 million. PAMBAT IMO finished 11 projects and is working on 12 others at a cost of P351.110 million. TARZAM IMO ended 2013 with five completed irrigation projects and 25 ongoing projects, all allocated at P233.585 million. In all, Region III completed 50 irrigation projects with 51 ongoing budgeted at a little over P1.117 billion.

NIA Region III has 706 organized irrigators associations (NIS and CIS) serving 87,418 farmer beneficiaries in an area of 123,117.93 hectares. Of the total IAs, only 482 are operational.

To implement NIA’s irrigation management transfer (IMT) scheme, Region III targeted 264 IAs from 2009 to 2013. It accomplished 85 percent of its goal, bringing in 224 IAs as of end September 2013. The IAs oversee 39,542.68 hectares and serve 37,033 farmer beneficiaries.

NIA Region III is managed by Engineer Reynaldo D. Puno.●


52 NIA AT 50

PRIIS is one of NIA’s most viable irrigation systems, servicing more than 122,000 hectares of agricultural lands in Central Luzon from its main source, the Pantabangan Dam. Working in tandem with the irrigators associations (IAs), UPRIIS carries out its functions

and maintains capable irrigation canals and structures including the collection of irrigation service fees (ISF).

In 1960, the Philippine government embarked on a multi-purpose undertaking to harness the productive potential of the Pampanga River. The mammoth Pantabangan Dam and its appurtenant structures at the confluence of Carranglan, Pantabangan and Pampanga Rivers were built at a cost of about P800 million and a USD 34 million loan from Irrigation and Rural Development Division of the World Bank. Initially called the Upper Pampanga River Project (UPRP) and implemented by NIA, it was the first single largest infrastructure ever to be accomplished by the government. An all-Filipino consortium of engineers started the dam construction in 1971 and completed it 17 months ahead of schedule. It was inaugurated on September 7, 1974. The feat led Amnon Golan, chief of IBRD for Far East & Pacific Project of the World Bank to dub NIA as “the finest irrigation agency in the whole of Asia and in any developing country in the world.” When the project started its operation, it became officially known as the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS).

UPRIIS has a total service area of 122,320.05 hectares divided into five irrigation divisions encompassing the provinces of Nueva Ecija (105,674.76 hectares), Bulacan (6,250 hectares), Tarlac (1,719.5 hectares), and Pampanga (4,324.52 hectares). The system benefits 84,830 farmers who are members of 401 irrigators associations (IAs). UPRIIS coddles a watershed area of 90,900 hectares.

The head office has Engineer Josephine Salazar as its operations manager.●

UPRIISUpper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System

U

TOP: Aerial view of

Pantabangan Dam.

OPPOSITE TOP LEFT: The

officers of MTG PLIVIRISCAF

IA Inc. OPPOSITE TOP

RIGHT: RIM Josephine

Salazar plants a tree

during the simultaneous

tree planting activity

organized by NIA in June

2012. OPPOSITE BOTTOM:

Masiway Dam.

52 NIA AT 50


[ IRRIGATION SYSTEMS AND DAMS ]

Aside from Pantabangan Dam, UPRIIS also oversees Tayabo Dam in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija. It is a run-of-the-river type of dam which serves as additional source of water supply for 3,550 hectares. Vaca Dam is a re-use dam in Talavera, Nueva Ecija with a total service area of 1,280 hectares. Murcon Dam, another re-use dam, irrigates 4,280 hectares. Atate Dam in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija serves 29,900 hectares. In Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija, Penris Dam benefits 24,500 hectares. And Rizal Dam, distributes water coming from the Pantabangan Dam to various irrigation systems that cover 1,335 hectares.●

[ MTG PLIVIRISCAF IA ]MTG PLIVIRISCAF IA Inc. is an acronym of the towns it covers, namely,

Muñoz, Talugtog, Guimba, and the barangays of Pandalla, Linglingay, Labney, Villa Isla, Rang-ayan, Villa Santos, Severona, Santa Ana, Cavite, and Faigal. The association looks over 1,336 hectares of rice land. It was organized in December 7, 2006 from the 56 turnout service groups (TSAG) created before the Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project (CMIPP) was built.

The irrigators association has 1,313 members. The will and determination they showed from the time the irrigation canals were being constructed convinced the UPRIIS management to grant them an irrigation management transfer (IMT) contract in 2008. The following year, MTG PLIVIRISCAF was named the country’s second most outstanding irrigators association. The group’s sudden rise to prominence also earned them recognition from the people of Bangladesh and India, and the Asian Development Bank.

Since then, MTG PLIVIRISCAF continues to prove its worth. In 2010, it was named NIA’s most outstanding IA and again in 2011 when it received the same top honor from the Department of Agriculture’s Agri Pinoy Rice Achievers Award, besting four other IAs similarly honored.

The achievements of MTG PLIVIRISCAF have improved the quality of life of its members. The IA has become the gold standard to which other IAs aspire. It is headed by its president Marcelo De Vera, with an office located at Barangay Pandalla, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. It operates under the management of the division led by Engineer Carlito M. Gapasin.●

54 NIA AT 50

Region IV-ACALABARZON

n 2002, Executive Order 103 divided Region IV into CALABARZON Region IV-A and MIMAROPA Region IV-B. The formal separation of NIA-Region IV was adopted by the NIA board in March 2011.

The following month, the stewardship of the Region IV-B Regional Office was turned over by Regional Manager Efren S. Roqueza to Engineer Conrado V. Cardenas Jr., who was named interim officer-in-charge.

In line with NIA’s ongoing Rationalization Plan at that time (2008-2012), Region IV was rationalized into six Irrigation Management Offices (IMO), namely, Laguna-Rizal IMO,Cavite-Batangas IMO, Mindoro Oriental-Romblon IMO, Quezon-Marinduque IMO, Mindoro Occidental IMO, and Palawan IMO. After the splitting of the region, the six IMOs were distributed to the two regions. Region IV-A has retained jurisdiction on Laguna-Rizal IMO, Cavite-Batangas IMO, and Quezon IMO.

Also known as Calabarzon, Region IV-A is formally called the Southern Tagalog Mainland. It consists of five provinces from which the acronym Calabarzon was taken: Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon. The region is located just south and east of Metro Manila, and is the second most densely populated region in the country.

Region IV-A has a total land area of 1,641,303 hectares, of which 912,411 hectares are arable. The potential irrigable area is 97,710 hectares, while the current percentage of development is 59.77 percent or a total of 58,401 hectares.

Irrigation systems in the region are divided into 39 national irrigation systems (NIS) and 339 NIA-assisted Communal Irrigation Systems (CIS). There are 83 organized NIS Irrigators Associations (IA) and 357 CIS IAs, all committed to being consistent partners in irrigation development.

Region IV-A is presently headed by Engr. Romeo M. Lopez (in an acting capacity) who took over from (retired) Engr. Romeo R. Anonuevo.●

I

54 NIA AT 50

55STAYING THE COURSE FOR 50 YEARS 55WHERE THE WATER FLOWS

Molino Dam of Bugaan CIS Poblacion II and V in Laurel, Batangas.

OPPOSITE TOP, FROM LEFT: Romeo M. Lopez, Acting Regional

Manager; retired former Acting Regional Manager Romeo R. Añonuevo.

SECOND FROM TOP: Officers of Tumbaga I Bucal IA headed by IA

President Crisologo Egamino receiving their Hall of Fame Award from

Administrator Claro V. Maranan and retired Administrator Antonio S.

Nangel during the NIA-IA Day on April 25, 2013 together with Romeo

R. Añonuevo and Romeo M. Lopez, C.O. Operations Department

Manager Efren S. Roqueza and Engineering and Operations Division

Manager Gloriosa L. Hernandez. BOTTOM: Duckbill Weir structure at

Agos RIS, Infanta, Quezon.

56 NIA AT 50

o accelerate the social development of the provinces and cities comprising Region IV, Executive Order 103 dated May 17, 2002 divided the region into Region IV-A (CALABARZON) and Region IV-B (MIMAROPA). Adopting the provision of the executive order, NIA created a separate regional office called Region IV-B in 2011. The regional office was established at Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

NIA’s youngest regional office is headed by acting regional manager Engineer Conrado V. Cardenas Jr. Some of NIA Region IV-B’s major irrigation projects were the Iwahig Balsahan Prison and Penal Farm Irrigation Project in Palawan,

Bongabong River Irrigation Project in Oriental Mindoro, and Ibato-Iraan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Palawan.The office has a total firmed-up service area of 49,169 hectares, with an operational area of 36,907 hectares capably managed by 118

irrigators association under the national irrigation system and 237 under the communal irrigation system.●

Region IV-BMIMAROPA

Apurawan CIP, Aborlan, Palawan. OPPOSITE TOP: Mangyan

tribe leader Yagay Sebastian and Occidental Mindoro NIS

CIS Federation (OMNICIF) President Rustica “Baby” Panga-

niban warmly welcome NIA IV-B acting RIM Conrado V.

Cardenas, Jr. as he arrived to negotiate for the

construction of Lipitan SRIP in Occidental Mindoro.

OPPOSITE MIDDLE: Completed Diversion Dam of

Iwahig Balsahan Irrigation Project in Aborlan,

Palawan. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Fulfilling its part

as NIA’s partner, SABAPECODEL Irrigators

Association continues to provide quality service

to its members.

T

56 NIA AT 50


SABAPECODEL IA covers five barangays in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, namely Sta. Rita, Balingayan, Personas, Comunal, and Del Pilar. The association began with 15 members in February 28, 1991 and entered into an irrigation management transfer (IMT) contract in 2003. The association adopted Barangay Del Pilar, Naujan in 2010. At present, SABAPECODEL IA has 540 members, with eight on its board of trustees. Members look after 550.88 hectares.

Under the leadership of its president, Venerando Sanchez Sr., SABAPECODEL IA provides its members rice production loans, insurance coverage for the officers of the Turnout Service Area Group (TSAG), a Use Now Pay Later Program, and Sagip Patubig Deal.

The association was recognized during the awarding ceremonies held on the occasion of NIA’s golden anniversary.●

[ SABAPECODEL IA ]

This P40 million irrigation project is located within the property of the penal colony in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. It was constructed and completed in about five months by inmates of the colony. With the source of water being the Balsahan River, the project has the capacity to irrigate 414 hectares.

Benefiting mostly the colony’s “prisoners without bars” (so-called because inmates are allowed to roam around the compound to tend to their agricultural activities), the project is expected to be a boon to the progressive farming methods practiced by its beneficiaries. This involves portions of the irrigated area devoted to land preparation and/or transplanting, normal irrigation, and harvesting. The colony is self-sustaining, with irrigation boosting inland fishponds where tilapia is grown, vegetable gardens, livestock, fruit trees, and other sources of food.

Iwahig Balsahan is composed of relatively flat terrain traversed by the national highway and a seven-kilometer service road. Twenty-six inmates are assigned to land preparation, 22 to palay management, 11 to agroforestry, and five to canal maintenance. However, during transplanting, 150 medium-security inmates supported by out-of-prison personnel are deployed to help.●

[ IWAHIG BALSAHAN IRRIGATION PROJECT ]


58 NIA AT 50

Region VBicol Region

n Bicolandia, NIA covers the six provinces of Camarines Norte, Cama-rines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and the islands of Catanduanes and Masbate. The Bicol region has a potential irrigable area of 239,660 hectares, some 124,350 hectares of which have already been provided with irrigation

service by eight national irrigation systems (NIS), 319 small-scale communal irrigation systems (CIS), pump irrigation systems (PIS), and those privately owned and constructed by other government agencies.

As of December 2012, Bicol’s level of irrigation development stands at 51.89 percent, which benefit a total of 59,822 farmers.

NIA-Bicol is headed by Regional Manager William P. Ragodon. Currently, NIA Region 5 is undertaking three major projects, namely:

Sibagat Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) in Camarines Sur; Ibingan SRIP in Sorsogon; and the Participatory Irrigation Development Project in the third district of Camarines Sur.●

During NIA’s golden anniversary year in 2013, the achievements of Region V’s HI-Farm Irrigators Association (HI-Farm IA), were highlighted. This is a group of marginalized farmers that started with nothing and ended up as outstand-ing. The association now owns a lot for an office, a six-wheeler truck, water pump and tools, three flatbed dryers, three recirculating dryers with furnace, a warehouse, a palay thresher, an electric transformer, a hand tractor with trailer, a collapsible tent, a harvester, and other farming equipment.

From taking water from the NIA canal in 1990, the association has soared, reaping 15 local and national honors, the latest being the Most Outstanding IA of the Year award (regional level, NIA category) during the NIA golden anniver-sary celebrations on June 25, 2013. In 2012, it was named outstanding IA for 2012 (Agri-Pinoy) by the Department of Agriculture.●

[ HI-FARM IRRIGATORS ASSOCIATION ]

I

BOTTOM LEFT: William P. Ragodon, NIA Region

V RIM, during project inspection of an irrigation

system in the island province of Masbate. Director

Ragodon, a true-blooded Bicolano who rose

from the ranks, is the only NIA regional director

who has a Master of Science degree in Irrigation

Engineering from the prestigious Southampton

University in the United Kingdom. BOTTOM RIGHT:

The officials of the Bicol Region Confederation of

Irrigators Associations (BIRCIA) headed by Silvestre

“Ka Silver” Bonto.

58 NIA AT 50


The South Quinale Rubber Dam, the first rubber dam in

Bicolandia, was constructed on May 2, 2006 and completed

on July 20, 2007 at the cost of P80.2 million. The dam

benefits some 1,027 farmers.

60 NIA AT 50

Region VIWestern Visayas

egion VI or Western Visayas is composed of the four provinces of Panay (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo), Guimaras Island, and the western portion of the island of Negros and its outlying islands. Its boundaries are the Visayan Sea on the east, the Cuyo

East Pass on the west, the Sibuyan Sea and Romblon on the north and the Cagayan Island on the southwest.

NIA Region VI is based in Tacas, Jaro, Iloilo City. The total area covered by national irrigation systems is 46,752.64 hectares serviced by 164 irrigators associations (IA) with 25,806 members. Communal irrigation systems (CIS) cover 22,613.94 hectares serviced by 275 IAs with 23,738 members.

The regional office is headed by Gerardo P. Cosiga.●

R[ JALAUR AND BAGO ]

60 NIA AT 50

The Jalaur Suague River Irrigation System is the biggest irrigation system in Western Visayas. It is made up of Jalaur Proper, constructed in 1955 at the cost of P8 million; the Suague, built in 1960 for P6 million; and Jalaur Extension, which was operational in 1982 at P29 million. Jalaur Extension and the rehabilitation of Suague Jalaur Proper were undertaken during the implementation of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project (JRMP) Stage I from the late seventies to the early eighties.

The main canal networks of both Suage RIS and Jalaur Proper RIS consist of one main canal and a lateral canal. The total length of the canals was estimated at 121.13 kilometers in the Jalaur Proper RIS and 39.4 kilometers in the Suague RIS. The Jalaur RIS extension adds 28.86 kilometers of main canal.

The Bago River Irrigation System was officially opened on May 1969 to serve rice lands in the cities of Bacolod and Bago and the towns of Pulupandan, Val-ladolid, San Enrique, La Carlota, and Murcia. The origi-nal construction cost was P17 million in the late sixties.

Bago RIS is a run-of-the-river type of irrigation system with Bago River as the main source of water. It covers a service area of 12,700 hectares or 24 percent of the total 52,241 hectares of the national irrigation system (NIS) coverage of the region. Irrigation facilities and structures consist mainly of diversion intake, a gate-keeper’s quarter, diversion tunnel, 187.02 kilometers of open channel canals and appurtenant structures, and 178 kilometers of farm-to-market roads.●


Moroboro Dam of the Jalaur-Suage River Irrigation System in Brgy. Moroboro,

Dingle, Iloilo.OPPOSITE, BOTTOM: RIM Gerardo P. Corsiga (center) showing

Senator Franklin Drilon (left) and former undersecretary of the Department

of Agriculture, Cezar Drilon (right) the miniature scale model of the proposed

Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II).

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Region VIICentral Visayas

t took more than 45 years for the Central Visayas to get its own irrigation office independent of Region VIII. A NIA board resolution in 2009 established the new NIA regional irrigation office, with offices in Bohol.Ten years earlier, the wheels were set in motion to campaign

for the establishment of the regional office. Central Visayas already had a total of 25,910 hectares of irrigated rice land. The completion of the Bayongan Dam of the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage II in October 12, 2007 increased irrigated lands to 40,410 hectares.

With the potential to develop another 28,181 hectares in Central Visayas and with the provincial government of Bohol offering an office compound in Tagbilaran, Bohol, the NIA board adopted Resolution No. 7567-09 in February 23, 2009 establishing a regional irrigation office based in Bohol. NIA Region VII comprises the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. As of 2010, 60.94 percent of the region’s potential irrigable area of 68,591 hectares has been developed.

Engr. Alejandro L. Alberca leads NIA Region VII as the regional irrigation manager where he took the reins from Engr. Diosdado A. Rosales.●

I

Located in Bayongan, San Miguel, Bohol, the

Bayongan Dam is one of the major irrigation

facilities of Region VII providing irrigation services

to over 4,000 hectares of farmlands.


[ MAJOR DAMS ]Malinao Dam, located in Malinao, Poblacion, Pilar, Bohol

was Stage I of the Bohol Irrigation Project completed on Decem-ber 31, 1997. With the Wahig and Pamacsalan Rivers as water sources, the reservoir irrigates 4,960 hectares benefiting 4,963 farm households in five municipalities.

Stage II of the Bohol Irrigation Project consisted of the construction of the Bayongan Dam in Bayongan, San Miguel, Bohol. It covers the municipalities of Ubay, San Miguel, and Trinidad and services 4,140 hectares of the Bayongan irrigation system and 1,160 hectares of the Capayas irrigation system. It benefits 3,605 farm households.

The Capayas Dam is located in Capayas, Calanggaman, Ubay, Bohol. Completed in December 1991, it irrigates 750 hectares and services 688 farm households. In 2011, the Department of Agriculture (DA) seeded the dam with 30,000 tilapia fingerlings. Regional Manager Modesto G. Membreve said the activity complemented the DA’s sustainable food security program.●

TOP FROM LEFT: RIM Alejandro L. Alberca;

former RIM Diosdado A. Rosales and EOD

Manager Olimpio J. Galagala, Jr. during former

Administrator Antonio S. Nangel’s visit to Talibon SRIS.

MIDDLE: Officials and BOTs of region VII’s pride San D Mil IA

headed by President Tereso Cruda. BOTTOM: The first of its kind in Asia,

Malinao Dam with its bathtub type spillway with a design discharge of

2,300 cubic meter per second.

64 NIA AT 50

IA Region VIII or the Eastern Visayas region covers the provinces Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar

There are eight national irrigations systems (NIS) in the region with a total service area of 19,849 hectares that directly benefit 18,191 farmers, 10,369 of which are members of irrigators association (IA). The region’s NIS’s are all

located in Leyte. The communal irrigation system (CIS), on the other hand, cover 33,200 hectares on which 23,562 farmers depend, 17,106 of these are IA members.

To increase the irrigated areas of Eastern Visayas, especially Samar Island, four irrigation projects are ongoing namely: Basey Irrigation Project, Calbiga Irrigation Project in Western Samar, Help for Catubig Agricultural Advancement Project (HCAAP), and Catarman Bobon Irrigation Project of Northern Samar. Once completed, these projects are expected to cover 9,020 hectares in the two provinces of Samar alone—resulting in irrigation development of 48 percent. The area excludes those under various communal irrigation projects now being constructed in Samar

NIA Region VIII envisions to continuously accelerate irrigation development. As of December 31, 2012, irrigation development is high at 79 percent for Leyte but still low at 29 percent for Samar provinces. Overseeing the operations of the region is Regional Manager Romeo G. Quiza.

Region VIII was separated from its conjoined twin, Region VII on February 23, 2009 per NIA Board Resolution 7567-09 which took effect on March 17, 1964.

Undaunted by the challenge, Region VIII, an agricultural region, soared beyond expectations in terms of viability index from 1.09 in 2010 to 1.37 in 2012. All these, because of team effort and zealousness to do it right.●

Region VIIIEastern Visayas

N


[ HCAAP ] Help for Catubig Agricultural Advancement Project (HCAAP) is an ongoing

infrastructure project that will provide irrigation facilities under NIA, flood protection and extension of road network and bridges courtesy of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), parasite control (schistosomiasis) under the Department of Health Region VIII, agricultural support services from the Department of Agriculture, and institutional development and procurement of equipment through the local government of Northern Samar.

The Catubig Dam is one of the major components of the HCAAP. The dam has the capacity to irrigate 3,226.7 hectares of farmlands and will benefit more than 580 farm families in the municipality of Catubig. The other dams to be constructed in the HCAAP include the Hagbay Dam and Bulao Dam. Once completed, the project will irrigate 5,550 hectares of farmlands.

The project aims to promote sustainable agricultural and economic development in Northern Samar by raising the income level of farmers, generating new employment opportunities, as well as improving the social infrastructure and services of various communities in Catubig and Las Navas municipalities.●

[ MEGA IA ] Everyone has some version of an outstanding

irrigators association, whether it’s a Hall of Famer or a newbie. But Mega Irrigators Association, Inc., of Maac, Sogod, Southern Leyte is unique. As its acronym Mega IA suggests, it has raised the bar in making a difference in the lives of its farmer-members. It has consistently proven what it takes to be an outstanding IA, receiving numerous awards since 2007 and culminating in being cited for its performance in the CIS category in 2013.

Mega IA was organized in January 23, 1999 and subsequently registered at the SEC on July 2, 1999. It has a service area of 85 hectares with 184 farmer-beneficiaries and was funded by Agrarian Reform Communities Development Project (ARCDP) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in CY 2000.

Its collection rate is at 85 percent. Mega IA credits its success on its transparent

financial dealings, leadership by example, regular meetings, and developing and implementing its collection plans on the sectoral level.

With the technical and institutional support extended to Mega IA under the leadership of Engineer Pedro C. Rubio, Jr., division manager A of Biliran-Leyte del Norte-Leyte del Sur IMO, Marasbaras, Tacloban City, farmer-members have given back to NIA through their commitment and cooperation.

Indeed, the accomplishments of Mega IA deserve emulation, borne of practices that ensure more awards in the years to come.●

TOP: Mega IA officers with former Administrator Antonio S. Nangel (second

from right) and RIM Romeo G. Quiza. ABOVE: The Catubig Dam in Northern

Samar is an important part of the Help for Catubig Agricultural Advancement

Project. RIGHT: RIM Romeo G. Quiza. OPPOSITE PAGE: PICAS SAN VICENTE

CIS located at Tanauan, Leyte.

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Region IXZamboanga Peninsula

ocated in the western part of Mindanao, NIA Region IX, also called the Zamboanga Peninsula, is composed of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga City, with the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi under ARMM.

Most of the major irrigation systems and dams of the region are located in Zamboanga del Sur: the Dipolo RIS in Dumingag (1,600 hectares), the Salug RIS in Molave (7,224 hectares), the Labangan RIS in Labangan (3,195 hectares), and the Sibuguey valley irrigation system in Bayog (3,143 hectares). They service a total of 15,162 hectares across the province.

On the other hand, irrigation projects are spread throughout the region with Salug RIS Extension Project in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur having the largest project cost at P162.848 million. Other projects are the Lower Sibuguey I RIS Extension Project in Diplahan, Zamboanga (P157.150 million), the Lower Sibuguey II RIS Extension Project located in the same municipality (P131.405 million), Sindangan Irrigation System Extension Project in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte (129.010 million), and the Upper Sibuguey RIS Extension Project in Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay (P107.750 million).

As of December 31, 2013, the region has developed 64 percent of its potential irrigable area serving 20,495 farmer beneficiaries. Of these, 8,389 are served by national irrigation systems (NIS) and 12,106 by communal irrigation systems (CIS). There are 250 irrigators associations (IA) in the region: 60 for NIS (covering 14,730.04 hectares) and 190 for CIS (21,168 hectares).

The current regional irrigation manager (RIM) of Region IX is Diosdado A. Rosales, who was formerly RIM of Region VII. The region has two irrigation management offices (IMO). The Zamboanga del Sur IMO and Zamboanga Sibugay IMO.

The regional irrigation office also handles two sub-offices: the Zamboanga del Norte regional sub-office and the ZAMBAZULTA sub-office consisting of the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi.●

L

TOP FROM LEFT: RIM Diosdado A. Rosales; former RIM

Alejandro L. Alberca speaks before the farmers of Midsalip,

Zamboanga del Sur on irrigation-related laws. LEFT: Bong

Talania in his 100-hectare palm oil plantation.

66 NIA AT 50

In the municipality of Titay in Zamboanga Sibugay, the name Leonardo “Bong” Talania is inextricably linked to vast lands and abundant produce. Indeed, the president of Paglaum Irrigators Association in Barangay Namnaman, owns more than 200 hectares of land in Titay alone and is the most successful farmer entrepreneur of NIA Region IX. The eldest of 10 children, Bong comes from a family of farmers who struggled to put food on the table. Inheriting 1.5 hectares from his parents when he married in 1989, Bong was forced to moonlight as a tricycle driver to make ends meet. Dreaming of a better life, Bong eventually began to invest the little he had in farm equipment. Others, meanwhile, offered to mortgage their non-irrigated land to Bong—eventually forfeiting ownership when they couldn’t pay. When NIA introduced irrigation in 1982, Bong saw the hardscrabble land turn fertile, which boosted his stock. Later, he would also process palm oil and intersperse rubber trees on his coconut plantation—new things he was unafraid to try. Bong attributes his success to hard work, good planning, and constant prayers.●

[ FROM RAGS TO RICHES ]


Timbaboy-Poblacion B Irrigators Association (TIMPOBIA), Inc. was organized in 1979 and comprises of farmers from two adjacent barangays: Timbaboy and Poblacion B of Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur. The vast and fertile plains of these two barangays were once planted with corn, coconut, and root crops while only small areas were devoted to rice and vegetables. Farmers were solely dependent on rainwater and small creeks for their crops. And with no potable water system in the barangays, the residents constructed their own shallow tube wells for drinking and domestic purposes. Due to the unity and cooperation of the officers and members of the IA, supported by strong policies and systems, TIMPOBIA, Inc. has a high collection rate of irrigation fees. The association is also committed to uplifting the socio-economic life of its farmer members

[ TIMPOBIA ] and the community as a whole, gaining assets through the years. TIMPOBIA, Inc. generated revenue by investing in agri-business or income-generating programs such as building a consumers’ store, renting tractors and thresher equipment, going into buying and selling activities, and plowing their collectively owned, 1,250-square-meter IA farm. Farmers are now able to send their children to better schools and even support them through college. They now have access to commodities that seemed elusive decades ago.

Presently, TIMPOBIA, Inc. has 210 farmer beneficia-ries coming from a serviceable area of 269 hectares. Its office and IA Hall are currently being improved using funds the IA itself generated, together with the prize money it received from the main NIA office when it bagged the Most Outstanding IA award for two consecutive years.●

One of the best dams in Region IX,

the Sibuguey Valley Dam located in

Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur.

68 NIA AT 50

Region XNorthern Mindanao

IA Region X became a regional office on April 1, 1978, when Region VIII-A was renamed Region X. With the regional seat in Cagayan de Oro City, the region covers seven provinces and seven cities in Northern Mindanao, namely, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, and Surigao del Norte.

With the creation of CARAGA Region or Region XIII in May 1996, the four big provinces of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Surigao del Norte with all their national irrigation systems (NIS) and communal irrigation systems (CIS) were taken out of NIA Region X. Therefore, the region is now composed of the six provinces of Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon. Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte from Region XII joined through the mandate of NIA in 2002.

NIA Region X is headed by Engineer Hilarion C. Cedeño (in an acting capacity) after former RIM Felix M. Razo has been appointed as the Senior Deputy Administrator.●

N


TOP LEFT: Acting Regional Manager Hilarion C. Cedeño. TOP MIDDLE: Former RIM Felix M. Razo. TOP RIGHT: Awarding of CY 2012

Outstanding Irrigators Association of Region X graced by Administrator Claro V. Maranan with former Regional Manager Felix M. Razo

and Administration and Finance Manager Editha B. Abdon (in maroon gown) on July 11, 2013 at Pryce Plaza Hotel, Cagayan de Oro

City. BOTTOM: Proportional Weir, Rugnan RIS, Taraka, Lanao Sur OPPOSITE PAGE: Pulangui Diversion Dam, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

TEMP. SHOULD BE PIC OF NEW REGIONAL HEAD

70 NIA AT 50


Region XIDavao Region

hen NIA was first created 30 years ago, there were only two regional centers in Mindanao; one was headquartered in Davao City, the other in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur. In 1973, three regional offices were established, namely, Region VII

with headquarters in Molave, Region VIII in Davao City, and Region VIII-A in Koronadal, South Cotabato.

With the adoption of the new regionalization scheme for Mindanao, Region VIII was renamed Region XI covering the provinces of Surigao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, and South Cotabato. Later, Surigao del Sur was transferred to the jurisdiction of Caraga and replaced by Sultan Kudarat of Region XII, which was recalled after two years.

Executive Order No. 36 dated September 19, 2001 returned South Cotabato and Saranggani to Region XII and all national irrigation systems (NIS) and communal irrigation systems (CIS). This limited Region XI to the province of Davao only.

NIA Region XI is strategically located within the heart of Mindanao. It is the most visited region and named the fruit basket of the Philippines. It has a total land area of 1,967,382.00 hectares, of which 110,362.00 are considered potential areas for irrigation development. There are 64,421 hectares already being served by existing irrigation systems.

At present, NIA Region XI operates and maintains eight NIS and 84 CIS under four responsibility centers which cover Davao and Compostela Valley.

NIA XI is currently headed by Regional Irrigation Manager Julius S. Maquiling. He took the helm from Engr. Modesto G. Membreve who is now the Acting Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations through DA Special Order No. 627, series of 2013 effective September 16, 2013.●

W

FAR LEFT: RIM Julius S. Maquiling. LEFT: Former

RIM Modesto G. Membreve. BELOW: Board of

Trustees, Badagoy IA, Badagoy CIS, Magsaysay,

Davao del Sur IMO. MIDDLE: Lasang RIS,

Carmen, Davao Norte. BOTTOM: Padada RIS,

Hagonoy, Davao Sur. OPPOSITE: Batutu River

Irrigation System, Compostela Valley Irrigation

Management Office.

72 NIA AT 50

efore 1978, only three regions existed in Mindanao: Region VII in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur comprising Zamboanga del Norte and Sur, Camiguin, Sulu, Basilan, Tawitawi, Lanao del Norte and Sur, and Misamis Oriental and Occidental; Region VIII in Davao City composed of Agusan del Norte

and Sur, Bukidnon, Surigao del Norte and Sur, Davao del Norte and Sur, and Davao Oriental; and Region VIII-A in Marbel (now Koronadal City, South Cotabato) composed of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

With the 1978 Regionalization Scheme, four regions were created, namely, Region IX in Zamboanga City, Region X in Cagayan de Oro City, Region XI in Davao City, and Region XII at Villarica, Midsayap, North Cotabato.

NIA Region XII formally started its operation on April 10, 1978 with the late Engineer Depandian R. Ibrahim as its first regional irrigation director. The region was composed of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Maguindanao (from the defunct Region VIII-A) and Lanao del Norte and Sur (from the defunct Region VII).

In 1995, another Mindanao Region (CARAGA) was created by virtue of Republic Act 7901. This law also provided for the transfer of Sultan Kudarat province to Region XI. Thus, Sultan Kudarat PIO together with Lambayong and Tacurong Rivers irrigation system were transferred to NIA Region XI. However, the same offices were returned to NIA Region XII on July 1, 2000.

In July 2002, by virtue of NIA Memorandum Circular, South Cotabato and Sarangani were transferred to Region XII from Region XI and Lanao del Sur and Norte were transferred to Region X from Region XII.

Region XIISOCCSKSARGEN

TOP: Turnover ceremony of Salaman CIS in

Lebak, Sultan Kudarat with acting RIM Mario

H. Sande together with Engr. Ali Satol (Acting

RIM vice Engr. Sande) (2nd from right). ABOVE:

Oathtaking of Regional Confederation of

Irrigators Association. LEFT: IA members clearing

a canal in Panicupan, Pikit, North Cotabato.

OPPOSITE: Allah RIS in Dajay, Surallah, South

Cotabato.

72 NIA AT 50

B


With this, NIA Region XII became known as SOCCSKSARGEN Region comprising North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and Maguindanao, a province under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which has no NIA-ARMM office.

NIA Region XII is headed by Acting Regional Manager Mario H. Sande. The region operates and maintains 16 national irrigation systems (NIS) under 11 responsibility centers. There are 276 irrigators associations (IA) under NIS, with 44,844 farmer beneficiaries. On the other hand, there are 174 IAs under the communal irrigation systems (CIS) with 20,137 farmer beneficiaries.

NIA Region XII boasts of two Hall of Fame awardees: Buluan-Pigcawayan IA, Inc. and Del Carmen IA, Inc., both from North Cotabato. Moreover, other consistently outstanding performers are Bulacanon IA, Inc. in North Cotabato Province for the CIS category and Napal-Conel Road (NACORIA) IA, Inc. in General Santos City for NIS.

Most of the IAs in Region XII are also consistently cited and awarded during the founding anniversary of the office which is celebrated every year in April.●

74 NIA AT 50

he NIA-Caraga Region is composed of five provinces, namely, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands. It has five component cities and one chartered city of Butuan, known as the economic hub of the region.

The total potential irrigable area is 173,391 hectares while the irrigated area is 60,000 hectares. It has eight national irrigation systems (NIS) with a combined area of 29,544 hectares. It has also 133 communal irrigation systems (CIS) covering 20,897 hectares. Farmer beneficiaries are 16,180 for NIS and 24,365 for CIS.

NIA Caraga has four ongoing national irrigation projects: Sta. Josefa Pump Irrigation Project, Umayam River Irrigation Project, Kitcharao Small Reservoir Irrigation Project, and Mainit Integrated Agricultural Irrigation Project, with a combined total area of 13,500 hectares.

The regional manager of NIA-CARAGA is Engineer Encarnacion S. Soriano.●

Hilario G. Amas, the president of Boan Bida IA, was a hall of fame awardee under the Outstanding Irrigators Association of the Philippines (CIS Category). Aside from being a successful IA officer for 21 years, he has also managed to liberate his family from the bondage of poverty. Even as an ordinary farmer, he was able to handle his duty as IA president and at the same time perform his fatherly duties by sending his children to college. He is also a successful entrepreneur, while fulfilling his other duty as barangay kagawad of their community. Successful in many areas of his life, Amas is one of the most respected and honored farmers not only in his community but also in the region. He is considered Caraga’s Pride.●

Region XIIICARAGA

T

[ CARAGA’S PRIDE ]

FAR LEFT: RIM Encarnacion S. Soriano distributes

farm implement certificates of ownership

to farmer beneficiaries with DA-RED Edna

Mabeza. LEFT: Former RIM Dexter G. Patrocinio.

OPPOSITE: Main canal and lateral at Sta. Josefa

Pump Irrigation Project, Brgy. Angas, Sta. Josefa,

Agusan del Sur.


The Umayam River Irrigation Project will involve the construction of an overflow diversion dam across Umayam River in Agusan del Sur, irrigation and drainage canals, and on-farm facilities. It is expected to irrigate 6.729 hectares, which will benefit about 2,125 farming households, or 62.8 percent of the total 3,385 farm households. The project will also increase cropping intensity by 200 percent. The project began in March 2012 and is targeted for completion in December 2015.

The Sta. Josefa Pump Irrigation Project in Sta. Josefa in Agusan del Sur looks to provide year-round irrigation water to 2,787 hectares of agricultural lands. To be constructed are a pumping station/building, a regulating pond, main canal, lateral/sub-lateral canals, and on-farm facilities. About 758 farming households, or 83 percent of the total 913 households, are direct beneficiaries. The project began in July 2008 and was scheduled to launch in August 2013.●

[ UMAYAM AND STA. JOSEFA RIVER IRRIGATION PROJECTS ]

76 NIA AT 50

77THE STRENGTH OF PARTNERSHIPS

Like the farmer beneficiaries entrusted with maintaining irrigation systems, NIA relies on public and private partners to bring to fruition some of its biggest initiatives. From the re-use of water to the refurbishment of dam facilities to the deployment of rain gauges to sustain fertile valleys in Southern Philippines, partnerships ensure the viability of facilities over the long haul and, by extension, the communities that depend on them.

The Strength ofPartnerships

CHAPTER 3

78 NIA AT 50


The top of a small, grassy mountain that borders one side of Magat Dam is the best deck to view

Isabela’s majestic rolling terrain: farmlands with vast patchworks of green and golden grain in

season. Beyond it, the billion cubic meters of the water that nurture that vast sea of green sits

calmly impounded to the right of the viewer on the reservoir side.

[ DALOY MAGAT ]

Sustainable Water Use For All

T his wonderful view was not always available for Magat denizens and visitors to enjoy. The same sea of green and gold was a desiccated expanse when a particularly intense El Niño ravaged the region in 2010. News reports said drought-related losses amounted to at

least PHP 1.61 billion; moreover, the crisis highlighted something that was otherwise a low priority when water was plentiful: the efficient use of water in Magat Dam.

Besides extensive grain cultivation, Isabela has been been gaining in the last two decades the reputation as a reliable source of tilapia in the Cagayan Valley, with the municipality of Ramon as the hub of tilapia farming in the province. Indeed, the practice of converting arable farmlands into fishponds has become an entrepreneurial routine in the last few years. Although

The DALOY Magat initiative ensures optimized use of water for

shared use among rice farmers and fish pond operators.

80 NIA AT 50

TOP LEFT: Baligatan Dam. ABOVE: Magat Dam.

BOTTOM: Magat River with the farmlands of

Ramon, Isabela in the background. OPPOSITE:

The reservoir of Magat Dam can accommodate

around a billion cubic meters of impounded

water for irrigation and power generation.

this “cross-venture” of rice farms and tilapia fishponds was profitable and beneficial to the local community, the proximity of farms to ponds and the very different needs of rice farming from tilapia growing have contributed to a more extensive use of irrigation supply in water resources like the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS).

Unlike rice cultivation, which has behind it hundreds of years of history from which to learn, tilapia farming is an infant occupation not indigenous to the Valley. Instead of following pond water replacement schedules, earnest fishpond farmers tapped into the irrigation supply 24/7 in the belief that the practice hastened the growth of the fingerlings. Continuous water inf low also meant fishponds were discarding “used” pond water non-stop into drainage canals.

The strain from current practices would manifest significantly during the spell of El Niño in 2010. Factor in the changing climate’s extreme mood swings and frequencies and you have all the stakeholders’ attention finally in fervent focus.

THE SOLUTION

Over the next few months after that drought, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and SN Aboitiz Power-Magat, Inc. (SNAP Magat) came together and agreed on a solution: the DALOY Magat initiative, or “Dependable Agriculture and


The DALOY Magat initiative (Dependable Agriculture and Livelihood through Optimized water use Yearlong in Magat) is a water use efficiency campaign that aims to help fishpond operators and farmers sustain their livelihoods in times of drought through proper irrigation techniques and fish culture methodologies.

“

”

82 NIA AT 50

Livelihood through Optimized water use Yearlong in Magat.” Basically a water use efficiency campaign, DALOY Magat aims to help fishpond operators and farmers sustain their livelihoods in times of drought through proper irrigation techniques and fish culture methodologies. This was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed on December 15, 2010.

A technical working group composed of 13 representatives from the three project proponents and participating irrigators associations was created to ensure key stakeholder perspectives were represented and resolution of possible issues related to water efficiency, fish farming, and agriculture was facilitated.

THE POWER OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

One of the biggest misconceptions that came to light during field visits was the belief by fishpond operators that continuous watering resulted in bigger and healthier catch.

To address this and further improve fish farming capabilities, BFAR held lectures on proper tilapia fishpond management and culture. NIA conducted talks on water efficiency, installed gate valves, repaired damaged canals, and recalibrated irrigation f low, while SNAP-Magat funded the project, including valve procurement and installation to manage water f low.

Before DALOY Magat, fishpond operators also used makeshift tubes and canal “stoppers” to divert irrigation water into their fishponds. In lieu of these unregulated devices that were also vulnerable to weather, DALOY Magat issued free four-inch and three-inch diameter commercial-grade gate valves supplied by SNAP-Magat. Besides certified durability, these valves guaranteed each farmer and fishpond operator an accurate schedule of water supply.

Magat Dam was built by the government in 1982 as a multi-purpose dam primarily for irrigation, and also for power generation. It connects to

THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE: Many parts of

the vast sea of reservoir water and farmlands

turned dry when El Niño ravaged the Cagayan

region in 2010.


84 NIA AT 50

THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE: Ramon is a

second class municipality in Isabela. Around

800 fishpond operators in this town have

benefited from the DALOY Magat project.

a 360-megawatt hydroelectric power plant facility also constructed and operated by the government, which was eventually privatized in 2007 and turned over to the winning bidder: SNAP-Magat.

As a corporate citizen in the Magat community, SNAP helped bring together the multiple users of the dam and took for itself the role of providing communication materials to farmers, fishpond operators, and the community. These materials included comic books, electronic presentations, print and radio ads, and audio-visual presentations to mythology and children’s literature.

To ensure that the principles of sustainability and technical knowhow of fishpond operations are passed on to the younger generation, school children from Ramon, Isabela were taught water conservation techniques at the Lakampati Kalikasan Children’s Summer Camp. Participants learned the importance of irrigation water and water conservation through talks, theater, games and art, and a story telling session.

WEALTH IN WATER

Data showed that after only eight months of implementation, water use of farmers and fishpond operators in the areas served by the South Canal and Oscariz Main Canal decreased by 17.94 million cubic meters (MCM). From January to August 2011, water consumed by the target communities averaged 37.63 MCM compared to top average consumption of 55.57 MCM for the same period in 2009, the year before the inception of DALOY Magat.

David Lumayna, 56, operates a tilapia fishpond of half a hectare and averages 350 kilos per cropping. At P17 pesos per kilo wholesale, 350 kilos is no small income for a family man with college-age kids. Like most farmers


86 NIA AT 50

in the region, David’s revenue stream has several tributaries: a tricycle to drive between croppings and a sari-sari store his wife tends to. His approach to tilapia farming is a lively mix of seminars and hands-on, trial-and-error learning. “Last two croppings I had a fish kill because of calendar miscalculation—my fault. Another fish killer is sudden change of weather. The sudden inf low of colder water makes warm water rise to the surface. But warm water has less oxygen, and the fish, which prefer to congregate near the surface, suffocate.” As for water usage, David remembers the scientific advice of water change every two weeks, but as there are other, unpredictable variables that affect the quality of water, he follows an even simpler rule: “It’s called the one-foot-palm-dip test. If you can see your palm at 12 inches deep, okay pa. Otherwise, time to change water.”

Pedro Angihan, 67, is a rice farmer who converted half a hectare of his three-hectare rice field into a fish pond to raise tilapia. “In the past, I had to sisid to open or close a gate valve, even when I have a fever or cough. Now, DALOY Magat’s valves spare me the unnecessary health risk. Better yet, it’s free. They used to cost P5,000 before and not many of us small farmers could afford them.”

An additional 260 fishpond operators (to the original batch of 553) have also volunteered to have gate valves installed in their fish farms. Surveys reveal that farmers and fishpond operators apply what they learned from DALOY Magat and actively participate in training updates and keep up with new technologies.

A poll of farmer participants gave the campaign an overall rating of nine out of ten and the multisectoral DALOY Magat team an eight for project implementation. DALOY Magat may yet become a water efficiency model for other irrigation systems to emulate. In the 47th Anvil Awards in 2012, just a year after implementation, DALOY Magat won a merit award for its efficient water use campaign for the SNAP-Magat.●

ABOVE: A resident of a barangay in Ramon, Isabela

checks the gate valve installed in his property.

RIGHT: Children laze on the banks of an irrigation

canal in Ramon.


TOP: Atty. Mike Hosillos of SNAP together

with more than 50 children of farmers

and fisherfolk from SNAP-Magat’s host

communities gathered at Camp Vizcarra for

a summer camp to learn about proper water

usage and environmental awareness.

LEFT: SNAP-Magat President and CEO Manny

Rubio (center) engaged kids aged five to

12 years in a story-telling session on the

importance of preservation and caring for

natural resources.

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90 NIA AT 50

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Photo CreditsExcept for those listed below, the photographs in this book were provided by NIA offices nationwide.

Raneil Ibay. 6-7, 8-9, 15, 20, 24 (all except top left), 27, 28-29, 33, 47 (top), 48 (bottom), 49, 51 (bottom), 53 (bottom), 63 (top left), 66 (top left), 69 (top middle), 71 (top), 74 (top right), 76, 78, 79, 84, 86

Jon P. Ave. 2-3, 4-5, 21, 46 (bottom), 80 (right and bottom), 81, 85

Errell Niñ0: 25

Aileen Camille Dimatatac: 82-83

SN Aboitiz. 87

A Legacy of Serving Filipino Farmers NIA at 50


NIA_BOOK Jacket_0512.indd 2 7/21/14 12:00 PM

Documents

A Legacy of Serving Filipino Farmers