SUBIC BAY FREEPORT— President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., formally turned over to National Irrigation Administration (NIA) the 141 units of various excavators worth P776 million in a ceremony held at NSD Compound here.
On his arrival in Subic, the President was greeted by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen, and SBMA Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan.
In his speech, the President said the acquisition of the said brand new excavators is part of the government’s goal to fast track the irrigation development and improvement of all agricultural canals and water systems in the whole country.
The newly acquired excavators are part of the P2.58 Billion three-year Re-Fleeting Program of the NIA for its operation and maintenance (O&M) equipment to be distributed to 17 regional offices nationwide.
For the calendar year 2023, the national government purchased the equipment representing the 1st Tranche composed of 141 various types of excavators bought in the amount of P776 million.
The 141 excavators only represent the first tranche of the three-year re-fleeting program which the government has budgeted at P2,588,988,198.94 to ensure the immediate repair of reconstruction of canals and other irrigation facilities devastated by natural disasters.
The equipment will also augment the existing 898 units because some of these are above 30 years old now.
NIA stressed that the project highlights the continuing efforts of the government in providing significant positive impact in the country’s irrigation sector.
The President also reported that, before traveling to Subic, he just inaugurated a newly constructed dam in Lupao, Nueva Ecija which will augment the irrigation system in Central Luzon.
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