NIA unveils 4 Ecija irrigation projects worth P125M
CABANATUAN CITY – As the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) remains aggressive in improving the delivery of services through innovation and modernization pursuits, NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya and his Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph Lauren A. Du led the inauguration of four Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS)-initiated projects headed by Department Manager Rosalinda B. Bote on Friday.
These two solar-powered irrigation projects and the Rizal Dam and PRIS Intake Gates Automation projects worth P125-million will provide an easier and more efficient irrigation water distribution system to a total irrigable area of 147,158 hectares of farmlands that would benefit some 102,092 farmers in five cities and 30 municipalities in four provinces – Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac.
At least 372 farmers and their families in the 460-hectare area in the towns of Jaen and General Mamerto Natividad in Nueva Ecija will benefit from the solar irrigation projects, said NIA chief Visaya.
In his speech, he cited the timeliness and importance of solar-powered irrigation projects amid the spiraling costs of fuel nowadays.
Visaya said: “Malaking bagay para sa ating mga magsasaka ang pagsusulong ng NIA ng solar-powered pump irrigation projects sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng ating bansa. Higit na malaki ang pakinabang ng ating mga magsasaka sa mga proyektong solar lalo na sa panahong ito na patuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina.”
Visaya said that no politicians were invited to the unveiling rites in accordance with the Omnibus Election Code and NIA Memorandum Circular No. 16, series 2022, which states that the agency’s resources and official meetings shall not be used for any electioneering and partisan political activities during the 2022 national elections.
Aside from Bote, other UPRIIS officials gracing the event who were instrumental in the implementation of all four projects were Engr. Vivencia C. Dela Cruz, Engineering and Operations Div. chief; Engr. Elenita L. Toquero, Div.3 chief; and Engr. Alvin L. Manuel Sr., Div. 2 chief.
Inaugurated were the P28.3-million solar-powered irrigation system in Bgy. Pamacpacan, Jaen, and another solar project in Bgy. Manarog, General Natividad worth P18.89-million; the upgrading/automation of the 7-decades old Rizal Dam and its headgates worth P68.9-million and the construction of electro-mechanical steel gates in Poblacion West, Rizal worth P7-million.
Following the unveiling, Visaya hailed UPRIIS under Engr. Bote’s leadership described it as the model and one of the best irrigation field offices nationwide.
The NIA chief said he told other irrigation offices to follow and replicate UPRIIS’ best practices and accomplishments.
“Proud na proud ako sa inyo, sa mga ginagawa ninyo,” Visaya told UPRIIS officials.
