The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) announced that it signed an agreement with CT Citimotors Inc. for the acquisition of 95 units of light/transport and heavy equipment worth P155.31 million.
NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya said the equipment will be used to monitor and evaluate the status of the agency’s ongoing construction and operations and maintenance activities.
The NIA said the deal was signed by Visaya and CT Citimotors Assistant Vice President Rodrigo G. Almendral last June 10 at the agency’s headquarters in Quezon City.
“The purchase of light/transport and heavy equipment is part of the third tranche of the Agency’s three-year re-fleeting program from CY [calendar year] 2017 to CY 2019,” NIA said in a statement.
For CY 2017, NIA purchased 34 units of light/transport vehicles and 17 units of heavy equipment. For CY 2018, NIA acquired 91 units of light/transport vehicles and 18 units of heavy equipment. Meanwhile, five units of heavy equipment and 91 units of light/transport vehicles were set for procurement in 2019.
As of December 31, 2020, NIA said it maintained in operating condition 3,201 units of heavy, light/transport, other support, and special equipment in support to the operations and maintenance of irrigation systems nationwide.
NIA said 622 units of equipment are non-operable or needing repair while 1,382 units of equipment are recommended for disposal. “Thus, the three-year re-fleeting program is expected to make NIA operations more efficient and reliable.”
NIA Senior Deputy Administrator Abraham B. Bagasin, Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Romeo G. Gan, Administrative Department Manager Ailyne C. Agtuca-Selda, and CT Citimotors Executive Secretary Carolyn N. Untalan were present during the contract signing.