CABANATUAN
CITY, Nueva Ecija-Administrator Claro V. Maranan of the National
Irrigation Administration (NIA) yesterday said the irrigation agency is
targeting to implement 715 irrigation projects next year in line with his
seven-point development agenda anchored on the fast-tracking of big-ticket
projects which have been delayed in past administrations.
Speaking during the
Christmas Party of officers and employees of the NIA regional office in Central
Luzon in Barangay Tambubong, San
Rafael, Bulacan at noon here yesterday, Maranan said they are speeding up the
bidding process for NIA projects so that these could be started right away.
He said that by the end
of this month, bidding for all proposed projects in 2012 will have been
finished. "In 2014, we have 715 projects of which 200 have already been
bid out," he said."
The NIA chief presided
over the turn-over of four back hoes and multi-cabs to irrigators'
associations. The heavy equipment and vehicles were pet projects of NIA Region
3 director Reynaldo Puno.
With him here were NIA
assistant administrator Dexter Patrocinio, Puno, Department of Agriculture
regional director Andrew Villacorta and managers Angel Miguel of the Pampanga-Bataan
irrigation management office (Pam-Bat IMO), Lauro Ballesteros of the
Tarlac-Zambales (Tarzam) IMO and Bulacan-Nueva Ecija (Bane) IMO
officer-in-charge Virgilio Ilao.
The fast-tracking of NIA
projects is part of the seven-point development agenda Maranan conceptualized
and formulated as the guiding principles of his administration. This, he said, serves as the roadmap and immediate course of
action on various aspects of organizational and operational performance.
These are (1) rapid and
efficient delivery of irrigation projects, (2) accurate reporting and
monitoring system, (3) organizational reforms and process innovations, (4)
corporate financial stability, (5) empowerment and continuous learning for
employees, (6) comprehensive plan on climate change adaptation and (7) stronger
commitment to farmers and other stakeholders.
The first of the
seven-point agenda was believed adopted by Maranan to avoid project delays
which were believed to have triggered the replacement of his predecessor,
former administrator Antonio Nangel.
It would be recalled that
President Aquino scolded Nangel during the agency's 50th anniversary
celebrations last June 25 for failing to implement the Balog-Balog Irrigation
Project in his home province of Tarlac.
Maranan said as part of
his vision for fast-tracked irrigation projects, the 17 various regional offices
may directly implement and undertake projects worth P100 million and below to
decentralize the process.
At the same time, Maranan
said they have identified 160 potential sites for the putting up of mini-hydro
power projects, of which 120 have been found to be feasible.
He said NIA is entering
into a joint venture agreement with the private sector for these projects. (Manny Galvez)
