THE National Irrigation Administration (NIA) plans to put up more hydropower projects on existing irrigation systems to boost its income and help augment power supply in the countryside.
May 182017
Jul 232013
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima found nothing wrong with President Benigno Aquino III publicly berating officials of three government agencies during his State of the Nation Address (SONA). In his speech, Aquino blasted the Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, and the National Irrigation Authority, saying corrupt officials in these agencies have “makapal na mukha.” “Tama lang iyong isapubliko ni Presidente iyong kanyang frustration at galit sa mga ahensiya na iyon na nasa negative list,” De Lima said on Tuesday., “Tama lang iyong ‘naming and shaming’ kasi mukhang hindi nga sila natatablan kahit nagfa-file tayo ng mga kaso, mayroong mga administratively charged, mayroon din mga criminally charged,” she added. De Lima noted even if penalties had been handed down on some officials, corruption remains in these government agencies. Aquino rebuked the Immigration bureau for the escape of high-profile individuals including murder suspect and former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes and a South Korean national wanted for large-scale investment scam. The President, meanwhile, criticized the NIA’s “make-do” culture, saying the agency merely rehabilitates existing irrigation systems instead of laying down new ones. Over at the Customs bureau, Aquino said officials seemed to be “nagpapaligsahan sa kapalpakan” in letting smuggled goods, firearms, and illegal drugs enter the Philippines. Customs chief Ruffy Biazon had offered to resign after Aquino’s SONA, but the latter rejected his offer of resignation. — DVM, GMA News
Jul 092013
THE NEW irrigation administrator assumed office yesterday, with plans to address the agency weaknesses that the President pointed out at the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) anniversary two weeks ago.
Jul 012013
President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday said he plans to replace Antonio Nangel as head of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA). “Maliban na lang kung magkaroon ako ng amnesia mula ngayon hanggang mamaya, wala akong balak irenew siya [Nangel],” the President said. He added that he has ordered a probe on NIA’s funds after he found out from the Department of Budget and Management that the agency was able to spend its entire budget in the past years without completing its projects. Last week, Aquino publicly scolded Nangel and other NIA employees for supposedly failing to meet their self-employed targets. — Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMA News
Jun 252013
PRESIDENT Benigno S. C. Aquino III expressed disappointment over the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) failure to reach development targets at the agency’s 50th anniversary celebration yesterday.
Jun 252013
President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday used the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)’s anniversary celebration as an opportunity to criticize the agency’s employees for their supposed failure to accomplish their self-imposed targets. In a speech during NIA’s 50th anniversary event in Quezon City, Aquino openly expressed dismay over the agency’s supposed inability to fully irrigate agricultural lands in the country. “Halos tatlong taon na po tayong magkakasama sa administrasyong ito, at malamang ay kilala na ninyo ako—wala po tayong panahon sa pambobola. Tatapatin ko po kayo: dismayado pa rin ako, dahil hanggang ngayon, lumalabas na kakarampot pa rin ang pagbabagong nangyayari sa NIA,” the President said. In front of NIA administrator Antonio Nangel, Aquino reprimanded the agency’s leadership for only irrigating 65 percent of the 81,170 hectares of land the NIA set as its target last year. The President also pointed out the NIA’s supposed inaction towards the Balog-Balog Dam Project in Tarlac, which he said has been pending since 1990. “Ngayon po, dalawampu’t isang taon na ang nakalipas mula nang planuhin ang proyekto sa Balog-Balog. Ilang administrasyon na po ba ang nagdaan? Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ito umuusad,” he said. Aquino further said NIA’s leadership and employees is leaving him with no choice but to closely monitor the agency. “Tao lang din po ako; hindi ako CCTV camera na beinte-kwatro oras ay kayang magmanman sa kilos ng bawat institusyon ng gobyerno. Pero sa nangyayari ngayon sa NIA, ang pakiramdam ko, kayo pa mismo ang nag-iimbita sa aking bantayan kayo Read More …