Latest news with #NationalIrrigationAdministration
GMA Network
8 hours ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
NIA: P339.3M agri damage from Crising, Habagat; many dams at spilling level
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) reported Tuesday that Severe Tropical Storm Crising and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) have so far incurred P339.3 million worth of agricultural damage in the country. Based on its partial report, NIA said the inclement weather affected the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems area, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, the Bicol Region, and Western Visayas. The agency noted that a total of 31,172.23 hectares were impacted by the bad weather, which in turn affected 23,385 farmers. Meanwhile, NIA also logged P866 million worth of infrastructure damage around the country. Crising exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday. Earlier today, PAGASA said the low pressure area located east of Aurora has turned into Tropical Depression Dante. The state weather bureau is also monitoring two LPAs, one of which is located within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Dams situation NIA also said a number of dams have reached their spilling level. 'Karamihan po ng ating dam dito sa Region III ay nasa spilling level (most of the dams in Region III are at spilling level),' Josephine Salazar, NIA deputy administrator for engineering operations, said during the Palace virtual press briefing. NIA reported that Gumain Dam in Floridablanca, Pampanga is at 2.3 meters, higher than its 2.1 spilling level. Meanwhile, the water level of Tarlac Diversion Dam rose to 6.5 meters, beyond its spilling level of 4.5 meters. NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen said the agency notifies residents two to three hours before it releases water from the dams. "Mayroon pong protocol iyan na sinusundan natin with Angat and Ipo Dam. So, at least mga two to three hours alam na po nila," Guillen said in the same briefing. (We're following a protocol with Angat and Ipo Dam. So, at least the residents were informed two to three hours before the water was released.) He added NIA is using an "advanced weather forecasting system" that has artificial intelligence technology to predict when the water should be released. "Two weeks nape-predict na po namin kung magrerelease kami ng tubig o hindi dito sa ating malalaking dam dito sa Magat and Pantabangan," Guillen said. (We are able to forecast up to two weeks ahead whether we will release water from our major dams in Magat and Pantabangan.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
NIA pushes contract farming, climate-smart irrigation to future-proof PH rice farming
Farmers use the AWD (alternate wetting and drying) technique in a rice paddy in this photo posted by the National Irrigation Administration on March 1, 2025. The NIA says AWD The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is taking bold steps to shield Filipino farmers from market shocks while boosting the country's rice productivity through contract farming, high-tech irrigation, and climate-resilient reforms. At the center of this push is NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen, who outlined a multipronged strategy aimed at achieving food security and farmer profitability—without additional burden on government. 'So far, magda-dalawang taon na po ang programa natin. Maganda naman ang epekto at marami tayong natutulungan,' said Guillen at the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing, referring to NIA's contract farming scheme. (So far, our program has been running for almost two years. It's delivering good results and helping a lot of farmers.) Under this program, he said, farmers are assured of a buying price ranging from P21 to P25 per kilo—well above market rates. Eighty percent of their harvest is sold at market price, while 20% is bought at P29 per kilo for buffer stocking. However, higher buying prices are just one part of the equation. Guillen then stressed the need to empower farmers as full participants in the entire value chain—from planting to processing to marketing. 'Hindi dapat magtapos sa pagbenta ng palay. Sa co-op, kikita rin sila sa milling at distribution. Ibabalik 'yan sa kanila bilang dividends,' Guillen said. (Profit shouldn't end at selling palay. Through cooperatives, they also earn from milling and distribution. That comes back to them as dividends.) To do this, NIA is organizing irrigators' associations into one cooperative per town, which are then prioritized by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) for rice processing systems (RPS) and other mechanization support. 'Yung mga maliliit na grupo, dati hindi natutulungan lahat. Pero kung sama-sama, mas madali silang mabigyan ng makinarya,' he said. (Small farmer groups used to be left behind. But if they're united, it's easier to support them with machinery.) So far, NIA has helped build over 300 cooperatives and more than 200 rice processing centers nationwide. To boost yields without waiting for new irrigation facilities, NIA is also changing the way farmers farm—starting with cropping calendars. 'Binago namin ang cropping schedule. October ang tanim, aanihin ng February. March tatanim ulit, aanihin ng July,' Guillen explained. ('We changed the cropping schedule. First planting is in October, harvested in February. The second begins in March and ends in July.) This system—dubbed double dry cropping—avoids typhoons, ensures more sunlight, and improves yields, especially under irrigated conditions. It also aligns with what NIA calls climate-smart agriculture. 'Kapag maaraw, mas mataas ang yield ng palay. So tataas ang ani, tataas din ang kita,' he said. (When there's more sun, palay yields go up. So production rises, and income does too.) Another innovation is the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation technique which, according to the NIA, helps farmers cut water use by up to 30% while improving crop health and root development. 'Kapag binababa mo ang tubig, hinahabol ito ng ugat ng palay. Mas hahaba, mas mahusay ang absorption ng nutrients,' Guillen explained. (When you lower the water, the rice roots chase it. They grow longer and absorb nutrients better.) The added bonus? Farmers can earn carbon credits from this method due to lower methane emissions. 'Nakatipid ka na sa tubig, may kita ka pa sa carbon credit. At mas mataas pa ani,' Guillen said. (You save water, you earn from carbon credits, and your yields improve.) NIA is also expanding solar-powered irrigation systems, especially in off-grid and upland areas, replacing diesel pumps and slashing farmers' input costs. 'Dati, aabot ng P40,000 hanggang P80,000 ang gastos sa diesel kada ektarya. Ngayon, libre na gamit ang solar,' he said. (Before, it cost P40,000 to P80,000 per hectare for diesel. Now, with solar, it's free.) What sets these systems apart is their built-in AI technology, which provides weather forecasts and planting recommendations. While national programs are in place, Guillen emphasized that local government units (LGUs) hold the key to sustaining these reforms—especially in marketing and land support. He also called on LGUs to use their National Tax Allotment (NTA) funds to build warehouses and support local cooperatives. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
02-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos to NIA: Listen to farmers' needs
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has tasked the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to listen to the concerns of farmers and use wisely the farm machinery being provided by the government. ''Kaya po ang hiling ko sa lahat ng kawani ng NIA, ingatan, alagaan, at gamitin ninyo ang mga sasakyan at pasilidad nang wasto,'' Marcos said in his speech Monday. (My request to NIA employees is to take care and use properly the vehicles and facilities.) ''Saksi ako sa inyong sipag [sa] paglilingkod sa ating mga magsasaka. Ngunit, hiling ko sa inyo na paigtingin pa ang inyong pagsisilbi. Makinig sa kanilang mga hinaing,'' he added. (I'm a witness in your hard work when it comes to serving our farmers. I'm requesting that you strengthen your service. Listen to their needs.) Marcos told NIA to immediately address the needs of local farmers. The President led the ceremonial turnover of 229 newly procured operations and maintenance equipment and vehicles under the third tranche of the NIA's Re-fleeting Program at Barangay Wawa in Taguig City. This program supports the President's directive to fast-track irrigation project development as part of broader efforts to strengthen the agriculture sector. As the country faces the effects of climate change and extreme weather conditions, including the El Niño phenomenon, the enhanced fleet enables NIA to respond more effectively to the growing demands of irrigation service delivery. The said agency currently manages 257 National Irrigation Systems and 8,802 Communal Irrigation Systems. The NIA is responsible for the repair, operation and maintenance of major canals and irrigation infrastructure. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
