NIA PLANTS TREES TO CELEBRATE FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY

Apr-Jun 2019Volume IX, Issue 2 The official newsletter of the National Irrigation Administration-CAR

NIA PLANTS TREES TO CELEBRATE FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY

La Trinidad-Benguet—Recognizing the significance of watersheds in sustaining irrigation water, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) kicked off its 56th founding anniversary this year through a synchronized tree planting in various sites all over the country on June 14, 2019.

In the Cordillera Administrative Region, employees of the offices of NIA in the six provinces including the project office in Alfonso Lista Pump Irrigation Project in Ifugao planted a total of more than 5,000 fruit and forest trees in one day.

Planting sites in the region were mostly part of the critical watersheds identified by the DENR-list

and water sources of the national and communal irrigation systems.

The tree planting was conducted in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources which provided the seedlings through its CENROs. Other seedlings planted were grown in NIA nurseries while other seedlings were procured from local nurseries. “We hope the trees we have planted will all mature as these will be of help in saving the watersheds and communal forests in CAR which are the source of water in irrigation systems, not only in

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Photo courtesy of NIA Kalinga IMO

Volume IX Issue 22 Tebteb ni Cordillera

the region but also in the nearby regions,” said Engr. Benito T. Espique, Jr., Regional Manager of NIA-CAR, who lead the regional staff in planting pine trees at Apalan Watershed in Brgy. Loakan, Itogon, Benguet. Espique added that the NIA-CAR will conduct another tree planting activity this year to augment the seedlings planted.

Meanwhile, the Apayao Irrigation Management Office was joined by NIA Senior Deputy Administrator BGen Abraham Bagasin (Ret), the second top official of NIA, in planting trees at the watershed of the Marimay Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) in Brgy. Marimay in Mallig, Flora, Apayao. The Marimay SRIP is one of the big-ticket projects of NIA-CAR which aims to irrigate about 1,300 hectares of rainfed area in Apayao. Other planting areas include Mt. Sidir, Brgy. Nagaparan in Danglas, Abra; Lamut Eco-park, Brgy. Sanafe in Lamut, Ifugao; Brgy. Poblacion in Sadanga, Mountain Province; Brgy. Poblacion East in Flora, Apayao; and three planting sites (Balani, Bulo National High School, Mabalbalanay, Agbannawag) in Tabuk City, Kalinga, and Lubong, Brgy. Sto. Domingo in Alfonso Lista, Ifugao. NIAns were joined by some members of the Irrigators’ Associations, and other organizations.

This NIA Synchronized Tree Planting is a nationwide activity by all NIA regional offices and has been part of its anniversary celebration in June since 2012. #Mylene Malecdan

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Abra Satellite Office conducts their tree planting activity in Mt. Sidir, Nagaparan, Danglas, Abra with about 50 hardwood seedlings.#Photo courtesy of Abra Satellite Office

Kalinga Irrigation Management Office conducts their tree planting activity in Balani Bulo National High School, Mabalbalanay, Agbannawag in Tabuk City, Kalinga and Quezon, Isabela with 515 agro-forest trees (atis, starapple, guyabvano, cacao, langka, mango, ponkan) and 1,688 forest trees (narra, eucalyptus, ipil-ipil, dao, antipolo etc.). #Photo courtesy of NIA-Kalinga IMO

Ifugao Satellite Office conducts their tree planting activity in Lamut Eco-Park, Sanafe, Lamut, Ifugao with about 200 agro-forest trees (coconut) and 300 forest trees (mahogany, narra). #Photo courtesy of Ifugao Satellite Office

The regional office together with Benguet Satellite Office conduct their tree planting activity in Apalan, Laocan, Itogon, Benguet with about 600 pine seedlings.

Mountain Province Satellite Office conducts their tree planting activity in Poblacion, Sadanga, Mountain Province with about 670 forest trees (pine tree, narra).#Photo courtesy of Mountain Province Satellite Office

NIA-CAR Regional Manager, Engr. Benito T. Espique, Jr. leads the synchronized treeplanting activity in Apalan, Loacan, Itogon, Benguet on June 14, 2019. #Photo by Rocky Magciano

NIA Senior Deputy Administrator, Abraham B Bagasin (Ret), participates and joins the employees of Apayao Irrigation Management Office (AIMO) in the synchronized tree planting activity. #Photo courtesy of NIA-Apayao IMO

Volume IX Issue 2 3Tebteb ni Cordillera

Editorial ConsultantsGRACE A. FANGED

BRADLEY G. GROSPE

EditorsMYLENE I. MALECDAN

RITA L. AFIDCHAOHELEN T. LAOYAN

Lay-outJEAN DOREE MAY B. ANANAYO

ContributorsMYLENE I. MALECDAN

JEAN B. ANANAYOJOHNNY A. BELAGANROCKY G. MAGCIANO

KRYSTELLE LYKA I. YABESABRA SATELLITE OFFICE

IFUGAO SATELLITE OFFICEMOUNTAIN PROVINCE SATELLLITE OFFICE

kALINGA imoAPAYAO IMO

Editorial AdviserBENITO T. ESPIQUE, JR.

EDITORIAL STAFF

Tebteb ni Cordillera welcomes contributory articles, features and pictures.

Engr. Bradley G. Grospe is now a full-fledged Division Manager A, Engineering and Operation of National Irrigation Administration-CAR as he took oath before Regional Manager Benito T. Espique, Jr. at the NIA-CAR Grounds, Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet after the flag-raising ceremonies on June 17.

Alongside Grospe, whose promotion was signed by NIA Administrator, Gen Ricardo Visaya (Ret) on June 7 during his oath-taking, is his wife, Engr. Myrna Grospe, Ph.D., NIA-

CAR Administrative and Finance Manager Grace Fanged, Section Chiefs and Benguet Provincial Head Godofredo Velaque.

Grospe entered the portals of National Irrigation Administration in 1986 as laborer at Ifugao Provincial Irrigation Office which was then under NIA-Region 2. He was Engineering Assistant then Engineer B for sometime until he became Engineer A of the Hapid Irrigation Project until its completion in 2001. From 2005 to 2009, he was Supervising Engineer A, and moved to NIA-CAR Regional Office in July 2009 when he was promoted as Principal Engineer C, heading the Engineering Section. He was Acting Division Manager for Engineering and Operations from 2017 until his appointment as full-fledged Division Manager.

He completed his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Saint Mary’s College in Nueva Viscaya in 1985. At the same university, he was conferred with an Innovative Masters in Public Administration in 2009.

Grospe has three children who are taking the same path as their parents in engineering. #Mylene Malecdan

Grospe takes oath as Division Managerof NIA-CAR EOD

Engr. Bradley G. Grospe takes oath as full-fledged Division Manager A, Engineering and Operations of National Irrigation Administration-CAR before Regional Manager Benito T. Espique, Jr. at the NIA-CAR Grounds, Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet on June 17, 2019. #Photo by Mylene Malecdan

The Philippine Institution of Civil Engineers (PICE) Quezon City Chapter-NIA Subchapter officers headed by Gertrudes Viado, PICE President and members of the Board of Directors visited the Bayabas Communal Irrigation System (CIS) located in Bayabas, Sablan, Benguet on April 5, 2019. The activity is part of PICE’s 2019 Annual Directional Meeting with the objective of attaining professional excellence among its members.

After the visit, PICE officers and members of the board together with NIA-CAR engineers gathered and discussed on Cordillera irrigation projects and how to sustain their technical enrichment.

PICE NIA Subchapter visits irrigation project in Benguet

PICE-QC NIA Subchapter visits the reservoir tank of Bayabas CIS in Sablan, Benguet on April 5, 2019. #Photo by Jean Ananayo


NIAEASP extends handsto Ompong affected families

Beneficiaries of the cash assistance from the National Irrigation Administration Employees Association of the Philippines (NIAEASP), distributed through the NIAEASP CAR District, were all thankful when they received P8,500 cash each from the association.

The cash assistance was collectively contributed by the NIA employees from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao through the initiative of NIAEASP in the aftermath of Typhoon Ompong which ravaged the Cordillera Region and other places in Northern Luzon in September last year. Most of the beneficiaries were forced to abandon their houses wrecked by landslides due to the calamity.

“The cash assistance is supposed to be for NIA employees in CAR whose properties were damaged by the typhoon; however, since no one applied for the assistance, this was extended to irrigators’ associations in CAR,” informed Ms. Paulita P. Yagyagan, president of NIAEASP-CAR District.

There were 18 identified beneficiaries from the different provinces in CAR, including one employee from NIA Central Office whose property in Baguio was damaged.

Regions 1, 2 and 3, also received cash assistance distributed through their NIAEASP Districts. #Mylene Malecdan

NIAEASP CAR District hands over cash aids to Mr. Benjamin Palbusa, president of the Nakidol Creek Poblacion Buguias Irrigators’ Association. Mr. Palbusa was authorized by Ms. Maritess Gayaso-Polinney, Ms. Divina Gayaso and Mr. Ricardo Domalos, survivors of Typhoon Ompong in Brgy. Poblacion, Buguias, Benguet and members of the Irrigators’ Association, who were forced to abandon their houses wrecked by landslides due to the calamity.

Ms. Pearlyshell Cayangen of Besao, Mountain Province receives cash aid from NIAEASP through CAR District. Ms. Cayangen’s family was critically affected by Typhoon Ompong.

Mr. Cesar Culbengan, Josephine Esnero, Jennilyn Leontino and Melchor Hernaez through Ptr. Janet Doctolero from Tuba, Benguet receive cash aid from NIAEASP.

The affected families in this area in Poblacion, Buguias, Benguet who were forced to abandon their homes during Typhoon Ompong in September 2018 were among the beneficiaries of the cash assistance from NIAEASP.


Cabbage, potatoes, carrots and other high value vegetables are among the crops planted by farmers who are beneficiaries of the Lapalap Dagdag-River Small Irrigation Project (SIP) in Bangao, Buguias, Benguet.

On May 11, 2019, NIA-CAR headed by Engr. Sammy A. Kimbungan, Head of Construction Unit, inspected this irrigation project in Benguet. The Lapalap River-Dagdag SIP Phase 1 was a newly completed irrigation project that will supply water to about 25 hectares of vegetable farms in Buguias, Benguet when its second phase will be completed.

The Lapalap River-Dagdag SIP Phase 1 is a ₱10 million worth project that had its groundbreaking ceremony on May

24, 2018 and was completed on March 31, 2019. The early completion of the project is caused by the construction technique of the contractor whom according to Project-in-Charge (PIC), Engr. Freddie Cayatoc, the contractor divided its workers into three groups. One group was in charge of the construction of the intake while the other two were in charge of both canals 1 and 2 respectively.

Engr. Cayatoc also added that the materials needed arrived on-time that is why the project was completed earlier than the project’s target completion which was on April 16, 2019.

The project’s completed facilities for Phase 1 are the left main canal measuring 680 meters which has 6 units of turn-outs and right main canal of 570m that has 2 units of turn-outs.

The second phase of Lapalap River-Dagdag SIP which is ongoing, when completed will extend to 475m of the left main canal while the right main canal will extend 750m more. #Jean Ananayo

NIA-CAR Inspectorate Team lead by Head of Construction Unit, Engr. Sammy A. Kimbungan conducts a project site inspection of Lapalap Dagdag-River Small Irrigation Project (SIP) Phase 1 located in Bangao, Buguias, Benguet on May 11, 2019. #Photo by Jean Ananayo

Irrigation project to supply water to high-value vegies

These carrots are among the crops irrigated by the Lapalap River -Dagdag SIP.


“Addressing Challenges through Modernization, Meeting Opportunities through Innovation”

change resilient agricultural projects such as pump irrigation, drip irrigation and impounding irrigation systems.

Our country is still developing and thus, it lacks wealth and technology advancement compared to other countries. Nevertheless, agriculture can be a great arm to our country’s own progression. Abundant agricultural production will not only feed the citizens but may also be exported to other countries resulting to greater funds for technology advancement. Our country’s population can also be an advantage instead of a handicap. Young Filipinos should be encouraged to take part in agriculture and as a result, open better opportunities of succeeding as a developed country.

However, abundant ideas are nothing without one another’s support and real-life implementation. Innovation, the implementation of these ideas, is a great help to make Filipinos acknowledge the importance of agricultural technologies and food production. This will open opportunities to fight hunger and poverty and thus, help the Philippines become more successful. As Bill Gates has said, “Investments in agriculture are the best weapons against hunger and poverty, and they have made life better for billions of people”.

Tall buildings with shining glass windows and metal doors, thriving businesses and establishments. This is what most urban areas look like in the eyes of many. However, in the midst of made-up luxurious life of others lies the ignored and starving life of the unfortunate as well as the fast deterioration of nature. People are deprived of their basic needs while living in the crumbling walls of congested cities. These cities, once filled with big mountains and tall trees, are now drastically transformed by what we call modernization. On the other hand, some rural areas are thriving with abundant food production and are less crowded. Modernization has helped these provinces to advance in terms of agricultural technology; thus, residents are able to sustain themselves. As years pass, modernization has affected urban and rural areas differently. The inventions and modern creations should not only be focused on luxuries but also help alleviate poverty and hunger in the country.

In most urban areas in the Philippines, we see high-rise buildings, five-star hotels, high-end and fast food restaurants in the streets. However, across these establishments are fragile wooden houses of the starving people surrounded by poverty, coupled with the dense population in the area. With so many people, there is shortage of food, housing, and healthcare. Modernization has brought us smooth and advanced lifestyle but has delimited agricultural development because of numerous agricultural land conversion. Opportunities to improve this state are abundant, but they are mostly ignored.

Modernization has caused the rapid conversion of agricultural lands into residential homes, roads and commercial establishments. This is both present in urban and rural areas which results to lower agricultural production but higher population to feed. Insufficiency of food and water is a main challenge our country is faced with because of our misuse of modernization and its technologies. However, we can transform this challenge through efficient and proper use of modernization itself. Agricultural land should be preserved and production can be aided through innovative irrigation and modern technologies such as tractors and other machinery. National Irrigation Administration (NIA) could also increase irrigated areas by providing irrigation facilities and climate

By: Grace Ann D. WilliamGrade 12, Cordillera Regional Science High School, La Trinidad, BenguetCAR Regional Winner, Essay Writing Contest

Concreting of the main canal of the ongoing Marimay SRIP in Flora, Apayao#Drone Shot by Johnny Belagan

Engr. Benito T. Espique, Jr. and Ms. Grace A. Fanged hand over the certificate of appreciation and P5,000 cash to Ms. Grace Ann D. William for winning in the NIA Essay Writing Contest for the Regional Level.


NIA restores BSU Pump Irrigation System

NIA-CAR personnel with the presence of Benguet State University Head (BSU) of Land Reform Office, Engr. Feliciano delos Reyes inspected restored irrigation project located in Swamp, Km.6 La Trinidad, Benguet on April 17, 2019.

The now operational BSU Pump Irrigation System (PIS) situated within Swamp, LTB was inspected by Engr. delos Reyes together with NIA officials headed by Engr. Samuel C. Bahiwag, head of NIA-CAR Engineering Section and Benguet Satellite Offce Head, Engr. Godofredo Velaque.

BSU PIS was first constructed in 2000 with ₱2.5 million allocation from the Pump Irrigation Development Project (PIDP) until it was damaged by typhoon in 2003. Another project visited during the inspection was the Swamp Pump Irrigation Project (PIP) that has two reservoir tanks which were both functional when

visited. Both irrigation systems benefit parts of strawberry farms.

The group conducted a second test run of the restored BSU PIS which was successfully done through a 30-minute test of water coming out from its pipe. The inspections and test run aimed on checking the quality of service that the project would provide its beneficiaries. Swamp PIP has a service area of 7 hectares while BSU PIS has 40 ha. These projects benefit 40 farmers of the Benguet State University Irrigators’ Assocation (IA). #Jean Ananayo

NIA-CAR Head of Engineering Section, Engr. Samuel C. Bahiwag leads the second test run of the BSU Pump Irrigation System (PIS) located in Km. 6, La Trinidad, Benguet on April 17, 2019. They were accompanied by the Benguet State University Head of Land Reform Office Engr. Feliciano delos Santos (second from left). #Photo by Jean Ananayo

Tinoc, Ifugao - National Irrigation Administration Cordillera Administrative Region (NIA-CAR) Manager for Engineering and Operation, Engr. Bradley G. Grospe, represented NIA-CAR Regional Manager Benito T. Espique, Jr. as guest of honor and speaker during the opening of the “Keleng di Tinek” of Tinoc in Ifugao Province on April 10, 2019.

The activity was themed “Di Ulnoh tan Kahakey, waday Li’teng tan Panbaknangan” in Kalanguya language or “In Unity and Oneness, there is Peace and Progress”. In line with this, Engr. Grospe signified NIA-CAR’s commitment with Tinoc people in line with agricultural support. “We continue to support agricultural activity and food sufficiency as we uphold our mission to develop, construct, operate and maintain irrigation systems consistent with integrated water resource management principles”, he said.

Engr. Grospe congratulated Tinoc town for the success and celebration of their yearly festivities. He informed the Tinoc citizens about the irrigation accomplishments of NIA and mentioned that in 2018, there were six completed projects with a total allocation of P28.5 million which generated an area of 72 hectares and restored four hectares.

Engr. Grospe expressed gratitude to members of the irrigators’ associations (IA) who in return provide agricultural products to the community and some being exported to urban areas. He also mentioned about the continuous support of the local government unit in partnering with the agency for the implementation of irrigation projects in their municipality.

Government officials present during the festivities were Mr. Charliemagne Monayao who represented DA-CAR OIC Cameron P. Odsey. Ifugao Representative, Hon. Teodory B. Baguilat, Jr., Ifugao Provicial Governor, Atty. Pedro G. Mayam-o and other LGU representatives. #Jean Ananayo

Grospe to ‘Keleng di Tinek’


NIA-CAR head graces ‘Keleng di Tinek’

Engr. Bradley G. Grospe dances a cutlural dance of Tinoc, Ifugao in celebration of the ‘Keleng di Tinek’ Festival which is celebrated annually. Engr. Grospe represented Engr. Benito T. Espique, Jr. as the festivals’ guest of honor. #Photo by Jean Ananayo

Photo opportunities of Engr. Bradley Grospe with Tinoc Municipal Mayor, Hon. Marcelo G. Catalino and Ifugao Provincial Head, Engr. Jone D. Dulnuan

Service area of Tandagen Nantakan Communal Irrigation System (CIS) in Tinoc, Ifugao #Photo by Krystelle Lyka Yabes

NIA PLANTS TREES TO CELEBRATE FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY

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