NIA probes 7 execs for project delays

LEGAZPI CITY—At least seven officials of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) are facing investigation due to alleged irregularities involving substandard or unfinished projects in their areas.

NIA Administrator Ricardo Visaya said these problems caused “significant delays” in work schedules and financial losses to the government.

“We have to take action… because this was the order I received from President Duterte when I took over NIA,” Visaya, former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, told the Inquirer on Sunday.

“The cleansing process will push through, from top to bottom,” he said.

Visaya declined to identify the erring officials, but said they were assigned to the NIA’s regional and provincial offices.

Visaya on Monday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the P381-million Ibingan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Prieto Diaz town, Sorsogon province.

Ed Yu, spokesperson for NIA Bicol, said the dam project would irrigate 489 hectares of land, benefiting about 600 farmers in 15 villages of Prieto Diaz.

Visaya said the project was among several locally funded projects that the NIA would implement this year. —MAR S. ARGUELLES