DA-NIA turns over P776-M excavators to IAs for intensified local irrigation, agri systems

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA)’s Equipment Refleeting Program kicked into high gear Wednesday, December 13, with the distribution of P776 million worth of excavators to various irrigators’ associations (IA) in the country during turn-over rites at the Naval Supply Depot (NSD) Compound in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City.

The NIA, an attached corporation of the Department of Agriculture (DA), procured 141 units of excavators under the first tranche, specifically: 102 units of 0.5 cubic excavators, 17 units of 1 cubic excavators, 17 units of long arm excavators, and 5 units of amphibious excavators.

“Ang mga ito po ay gagamitin ng ating irrigators’ associations para sa desilting ng kanilang canals, para sa pag-repair ng kanilang irrigation, para po ito ay lalong makatulong sa pagpapaunlad ng ating food security,” DA-NIA Acting Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie Guillen said.

NIA Region I Acting Regional Manager Engr. Danilo Gomez, NIA Region VIII Regional Manager Engr. Jaime De Jesus, and NIA Region XI Regional Manager Engr. Jimmy Apostol– representing IAs from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, respectively– received the excavators. A simultaneous event led by IA-recipients were also held in Cebu City and Davao City.

Aside from augmenting the country’s inventory of machines and resources, the three-year program also aims to undertake and intensify regular operation and maintenance of national irrigation systems (NIS). The program also aims to immediately repair and/or construct irrigation facilities damaged by natural disasters.

With a total budget of P2.59 billion, the Equipment Refleeting Program is divided into three tranches.

For the implementation of the second tranche, more than P782 million was dedicated to the purchase of 138 units of excavators of various models, 28 units of dump trucks, and 17 units of truck-tractors with trailer. Meanwhile, the third and final tranche will entail the procurement of various types of heavy equipment with a funding of over P1.03 billion.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said effective irrigation systems can boost local agricultural production by 30 percent. The 141 units of NIA-procured excavators will also