Screengrab from https://www.nia.gov.ph/
MANILA, Philippines–The National Irrigation Administration has a new chief as Florencio F. Padernal was elected administrator after President Aquino appointed him to the NIA board on July 1.
According to the office of Secretary Francis Pangilinan, presidential assistant on food security and agricultural modernization (Opafsam), Padernal is an engineer who is chief executive of Padernal Construction Co. Inc.
Before that, he served as chair of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority from 2002 to 2004, as well as in various capacities at the Department of Public Works and Highways.
During his 11 years at the DPWH, Padernal worked initially as chief civil engineer and then as assistant director and as project director.
He also had stints at the World Bank as chief technical advisor in 1990 and as consultant in 1993.
“We trust the reforms…Padernal will institute in the NIA for its projects’ betterment,” Pangilinan said in a statement.
The former senator said the NIA may now be expected to help farmers substantially, “especially now that our course is toward farmer empowerment.”–Ronnel W. Domingo