NIA 50 A Legacy of Servingat Filipino Farmers National Irrigation Administration NIA_BOOK Jacket_0512.indd 3 7/21/14 12:00 PM NIA at 50 A Legacy of Serving Filipino Farmers National Irrigation Administration NIA at 50 A Legacy of Serving Filipino Farmers NIA at 50 A Legacy of Serving Filipino Farmers A special publication project of NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff. EDITORIAL BOARD Claro V. Maranan, Administrator Felix M. Razo, Senior Deputy Administrator Modesto G. Membreve, Acting Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Lorna Grace B. Rosario, Acting Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Pilipina P. Bermudez Luzviminda R. Peñaranda Clarizze C. Toribio Pops Marie S. Dadea Lioneil G. dela Cruz Remster D. Bautista Arnulfo P. Tomas Allan John O. Zita Rogelio 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 by PROJECT BRIO MEDIA HOUSE [email protected] Executive Editor Jon P. Ave Editor Ces Rodriguez Writers Manny Espinola Antonio Maghirang Photography Raneil Ibay Graphic 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 CHAPTER 2: Where the Water Flows 41 From the Administrators ................................ 9 NIA CAR .......................................................... 42 Acknowledgements ...................................... 10 NIA Region I ................................................... 44 Photo Credits ................................................ 100 NIA Region II ................................................... 46 MARIIS ........................................................... 48 CHAPTER 1: Staying the Course for 50 Years 13 NIA Region III .................................................. 50 True to the Vision ......................................... 15 UPRIIS ............................................................. 52 About the NIA Logo ....................................... 17 NIA Region IV-A .............................................. 54 The NIA Building ............................................ 18 NIA Region IV-B ............................................... 56 IAs and NIA: A Solid Partnership ................... 19 NIA Region V ................................................... 58 Flood Forecasting Saves Lives ........................ 20 NIA Region VI .................................................. 60 Water Re-use ................................................. 21 NIA Region VII ................................................. 62 NIA Literature ................................................ 22 NIA Region VIII ................................................ 64 Protecting Watersheds .................................. 23 NIA Region IX .................................................. 66 Values Through Cultural Pursuits ................... 24 NIA Region X ................................................... 68 Other Potentials of Irrigation Dams ................. 25 NIA Region XI .................................................. 70 Increasing Yields ............................................ 26 NIA Region XII ................................................. 72 Leading the Way ............................................ 28 NIA Region XIII ................................................ 74 Landmark Dates .............................................. 30 Their Life’s Work, Their Personal Mission ...... 32 CHAPTER 3: The Strength of Partnerships 77 Past NIA Administrators ................................. 34 Daloy Magat: Sustainable Water Use for All ... 79 Antonio S. Nangel . ........................................ 35 First Generation Hydro Power Company ........ 88 Claro V. Maranan ............................................ 38 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. Preface Irrigation 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 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. NANGEL Administrator, 2010 - 2013 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