P500 M allotted for NIA rehab projects in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - The National Irrigation Administration has formed Task Force Pablo and earmarked P500 million to fast-track rehabilitation projects in four regions in Mindanao.

In a memorandum, NIA Administrator Claro Maranan named Felix Razo, NIA senior deputy administrator, as head of the task force which flew yesterday to Region 11 for a four-day inspection of Pablo-related irrigation projects.

Razo’s team is also composed of Florentino David, internal audit services department manager; internal control officers Teresita Pantalla and Mary Jean Estefanio; and systems management division senior engineer Maria Gracia Ramos.

Maranan directed the task force to audit restoration and rehabilitation projects funded under the Typhoon Pablo Fund. The audit will cover procurement up to contract administration.

For the restoration projects, an initial P500 million has been released for damaged irrigation facilities in Regions 10 to 13.

As part of administrative reforms being instituted at NIA, Maranan said four irrigation management officers would be reshuffled.

Maranan will meet tomorrow with farmers for their feedback on issues involving irrigation and the agency.

The creation of the task force was in line with Maranan’s seven-point development agenda outlining the agency’s course of action on various aspects of organizational and operational performance.

The agenda is aimed at providing creative and speedy solutions to urgent problems confronting NIA, rallying the support of employees and officers in carrying it out; and documenting the program for future reference as a learning organization committed to continuing improvement.