LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) – Ilocos Norte Irrigation Management Office (INIMO) has begun construction of a modern four-storey building with a roof deck, strengthening agricultural development and improving irrigation services in the province.
The P215 million project, located in Brgy. 20, San Pablo, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, will serve as a centralized administrative and operational hub for NIA, designed to enhance the agency’s capacity to deliver efficient and sustainable water management programs.
The building consists of a total floor area of 4,229 square meters, with modern office spaces, conference rooms, technical workstations, lodging facilities, and recreational areas.
Engineer Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen, administrator of NIA Ilocos Norte, highlighted the importance of this infrastructure project in supporting both the workforce and the agricultural community.
“This project improves the irrigation system and helps the farming sector in Ilocos Norte. A modern office equipped with the right tools and facilities is crucial in providing better services to our farmers and creating a more efficient working environment for our staff,” Guillen said.
The design will also incorporate disaster-resilient features to ensure durability and energy efficiency.
“This building reflects our aspiration for sustainable amenities and disaster resilience. We want to ensure our facilities are strong enough to withstand natural disasters while supporting the agricultural sector’s long-term growth,” Guillen added.
The project is funded through the government’s capital outlay for NIA, with P40 million allocated for 2024 and an additional P175 million budgeted for 2025 and 2026.
For NIA field staff like Romel A. Batuac, acting head of the Operations and Maintenance System, the new office will resolve long-standing workspace challenges.
“Our current office is too small and overcrowded, with many of our field staff lacking proper workstations. Considering Ilocos Norte has the second-largest service area in Region 1 after Pangasinan, this expansion is long overdue and much needed, ” Batuac said.
Construction began in 2024, starting with site development, foundation work, and the establishment of the building’s structural framework.
The project is set to progress into the next phases, including interior finishing and the installation of state-of-the-art office facilities, with full completion targeted between 2025 and 2026.
The new NIA-Ilocos Norte Irrigation Management Office aims to unlock greater potential for local farmers, contributing to the region’s overall economic growth and agricultural sustainability. (CCMT/MTDA, PIA Ilocos Norte)
